LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

SliGif._-_n'2.7 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 



DISEASES OF LIVE STOCK 



AND THEIR MOST EFFICIENT REMEDIES ; 



HORSES, CATTLE, SHEEP AND SWIM. 




A POPULAR TREATISE, GIVIXG IX BRIEF AND PLAIN LANGUAGE A DESCRIP- 
TION OF ALL THE USUAL DISEASES TO WHICH THESE ANIMALS ARE 
LIABLE, AND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF 
AMERICAN, ENGLISH AND EUROPEAN 
VETERINARIANS. 



BY LLOYD V. TELLOR, M.D. 

PHILADELPHIA: 

D. G. BRINTON, 115 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET. 

1879. 



V- 



r 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by 

D. G. BRINTON, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C, 

ALL EIGHTS RESERVED. 



■ic:<\ 



\ 



V 



Wm. F. Fkll & Co., 

Printers and Klcctrotvi crs, 

733 Rnnwix Rl , PhiladclMhia, Pa, 



PREFACE. 



The author of this work, though not a veterinary surgeon, 
believes he can claim some special qualifications for its pre- 
paration. Brought up on a farm, j^racticing medicine in a 
rural locality.. and, as is the wont with country doctors, often 
consulted about the diseases of domestic animals, he has 
bought and read the best books on the subject, and here jjre- 
sents the combined result of his study and observation. 

While the work has been written in language free from 
technicalities, and directly for the use of the farmer and stock 
owner, the endeavor has been made to render it scientifically^ 
exact, and a true exponent of the latest and most accurate re- 
search. Comparatively little space has been given to path- 
ology, as this branch can only be studied by experts ; but on 
treatment the work is very full, because this is so much 
neglected in most books, and yet is precisely what the general 
reader desires. 

As will be seen, free use has been made of the works of 
Professor William AVilliams, Finlay Dun, John Gamgee, 
George Arraltage, Dr. Klein, and other British authors ; and 
of the writings of Law, Townshend, Chawnci", Detmcrs, 
Moks, Harris, etc., cf our own country. 



CONTENTS. 



PART T. 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY 
MEDICINE. 



CHAPTER I. i-AGK. 

REMARKS OX THE ANATOMY AXD THYSIOLOGV OF DOMESTIC AXIMAI.S. 

The Brain and Nervous System ; The Organs of Breathing ; The 
Organs of Digestion ; The Heart, Blood Vessels and Absorb- 
ents ; The Kidneys and Sex Organs; The Keproductive Acts, 17 

CHAPTER IT. 

XURSIXG, CARE AXD DIET OF SICK AXIMALS. 

Separation and Stabling ; Disinfection ; Rest and Sleep ; Cleans- 
ing and Dressing ; Position, Slings and Cradle;;; Food and 
Drink ; Special Diet Preparations, ... -17 

CHAPTER III. 

FORMS OF MEDICIXES, AXD METHODS OF THEIR ADMIXISTl'.ATIOX. 

List of Forms and Methods ; Medication Ijy the Mouth ; Injec- 
tions into the Nose ; Medication by the Rectum and Vagina ; 
Medication by the Blood Vessels ; External Methods of Medi- 
cation ; Weights anl Measures, and their Domestic Equiva- 
lents . . . 38 



6 Contents. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER IV. 

VETEllIXAKY SURGICAI, lN.STra'MEXTS AND MIXOIl SURGICAL OPERATIONS 

The Yeterinary Pocket Case and its Contents ; Preparations for 
Operating ; Bleeding ; Seton.s ; Firing ; Sutures ; O^Jerutiojis 
on tlie Teeth ; Blisterin>T, . . - , . 58 



CHAPTER Y. 

GENERAL RULES FOR KECOGXIZIXG AXD DISTIXGUISHIXG DISEASES. 

The Pulse ; The Breathing ; The Animal Heat ; The Skin and 
Hair ; The Posture ; Indications of Pain ; Special Signs in 
Cattle; Signs of Diseases of Particular Organs, . . 71 



PART II 



THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



General Remarks on the Diseases of the Horse, . . 81 



CHAPTER I. 

KISEASES OK TlIK ]!!!A1X AXD XERVOUS SYSTEM. 

Congestion and Inflammation of the Brain ; Phrenitis ; Mad, 

Blind or Sleepy Staggers, ..... 87 
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, ..... 89 
Convulsive Diseases or Fits ; Apoplexy ; Epilepsy ; Falling Sick- 
ness ; St. Yitus' Dance or Stringhalt, . . . 90 
Megrims; Yertigo ; Giddiness, .... I'l 
Sunstroke, ....... ^3 



Contents. 



Pai-alysis or Palsy, 
Tetanus or Lockjaw, 
Hydrophobia, 



or; 

98 



CHAPTER TI. 



DISEASES OF THE BREATHING OKGAN'S. 



Or 



Cautions in Treating Diseases of the Breathinj 

Cold in the Head ; Catarrh, .... 

Nasal Gleet ; Running from the Nose, 
Cold in the Chest ; Bronchitis; Chronic Cough, 
Influenza; The Epizootic; Contagious Catarrhal Fuvlt 
Eye, ... ... 

Sore Throat ; Laryngitis ; Pharyngitis, 

Inflammation of the Lungs ; Lung Fever; Pneumonia. 

Pleuris}', ....... 

Heaves ; Broken Wind ; Emphysematous Asthiiui, 
Roaring ; High Blowing ; Thick Wind ; AYhistling, 



TOO 
102 

1 ();! 

10-3 

lOD 
11-2 
113 

in; 

110 
120 



CHAPTER HI. 



DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION 

General Remarks on Diseases of the Digestive Orgai 
Local Inflammation in and around the Mouth ; Lampas 

Barbs and Paps ; Tender and Bleeding Gums 

Teeth ; Tooth Cough, 
Indigestion and Dyspej^sia, . . , . 

Cribbing ; Crib-biting ; Wind-sucking, 
Colic ; The Gripes, .... 

Tympany; Flatulent Colic ; TymjDanites ; Swollen B( 
Constipation ; Costiveness, 

Diarrhea ; Scouring, .... 
Inflammation of the Bowels ; Enteritis, 
Dysentery ; Bloody Flux ; Colitis, 
Congestion and Inflammation of the Liver : Hepatitis 

The Yellows, . . . . 

Intestinal Worms, 
The Bots, ..... 



s ; Yives : 
Decayed 



Jaundice : 



124 
128 
l:l() 
1:51 
l;]4 
l:!(i 
l:;7 
IK) 
143 

140 
14S 
loU 



8 Contents. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER IV. 

DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS AXD ABSORBEXTS. 

Palpitation; Violent Heart Beat ; Thumps, . . , 152 

Enlargement or Hypertrophy of the Heart, . . . 153 

Fatty Degeneration of the Heart, .... 154 

Aneurism; Enlargement of the Arteries, . . . 155 

Inflammation of the Jugular Vein ; Phlebitis, . . 156 
Inflammation of the Absorbent Vessels ; Lymphangitis ; Weed ; 

Shot of Grease, ...... 156 



CHAPTER V. 

DLSEASES OP THE KIDNEYS, BLADDER AXD SEX OROAXS. 

Inflamm;ition of the Kidneys, .... 159 

Inflammation of th.e Bladder, .... IGO 

Stone in the Bladder ; Gravel, .... IGl 

Retention or Suppression of Urine ; Strangury ; Difficult or 

Painful Staleing, . . . . . . 162 

Diabetes; Profuse Staleing, ..... 164 

Black Water in Horses ; Hajmaturia ; Azoturia, . . 165 
Diseases of the Sex Organs ; Contraction of the Sheath ; Ex- 
ternal Inflammation of the Yard ; Internal Inflammation of 

the Yard ; Inflammation of the Vagina, . . 166 



CHAPTER VI. 

OEXERAL DISEASES, AXD DISEASES OF THE BLOOD. 

Glanders, . . . . . . . 170 

Farcy; Bud Farcy ; Button Farcy, .... 173 

Charbon in the Horse ; Purpura Hemorrhagica ; Spotted 

Fever, . . . . . . . 175 

Rheumatism, . . . . . . . 178 

Strangles; Colt Distemper, . . . . . 181 

Erysipelas; St. Anthony's Fire, .... 185 

Dropsy ; Ascites, ...... 186 



Contents. 



CHAPTER TIL 

DISEASES OK TIIK FOOT OK THK HORSE. 

Structure of the Foot of the Horse, 

Lameness in the Horse ; How to Detect Lameness ; How to 

certain the Cause of the Lameness, 
Inflammation of the Feet ; Laminitis ; Founder ; Fever in 
Feet, ...... 

Corns, ....... 

Thrush or Frush of the Frog, . . . " 

Canker, ...... 

Punctured Wounds of tlie Feet ; Prickings ; Gathered Nails 
Sand Crack, ...... 

False Quarter, ...... 

Quittor; Fistula of the Coronet; Fibro-Chondriti ? of 
Foot, ...... 

Navicular Disease ; Grogginess ; Contraction of the Foot, 
Scratches ; Mud Fever ; Cracked Heels ; Erythema of 
Heels, ...... 

Grease ; Eczema of the Heels, 



As- 

the 



the 



is;) 

107 
201 
202 
202 
20-1 

2on- 

20(> 

207 
200 

211 
212 



CHAPTER Vni. 



DISEASES OF THE LKd. 

Inflammation of the Bones, 

Sore Shins; Inflammation of the Metacarpal Bones, 
Splints or Splents, .... 

Ring Bones, ..... 

Bog Spavin ; Blood Spavin ; Inflammation of the Hoc 
Bone Spavin, ..... 
Thorough -pin, ..... 
Capped Hock, r . . . . 

Side Bones, ..... 



k Joint 



215 

215 
21 C, 
217 
218 
210 
221 
222 
222 



CHAPTER IX. 

WOUNDS AND IXJUKIE.S, AXD TUEIU nESFLTS. 

The General Treatment of Wounds; To Check Bleeding; Clean- 
ing the Wound ; Restoring the Position of the Parts ; To Pr. - 
vent Inflammation, ...... 



224 



10 



Contents. 



PAGE. 

Sprains or Strains, . . . . . . 228 

Strains of the Shoulder and Leg ; Rheumatic Joint : Sprain of the 

Flexor Muscles ; Slioulder Slip ; Sprain of the Back Sinews. 

or Flexor Tendons, ...... 230 

Injuries of the Foot and Lower Leg; Interfering; Overreach; 

Tread, or Calking ; Speedy Cut ; Brushing, , . 232 

Wounds of the Knees ; Broken Knees, . . . 233 

Elbow Si)rain ; Elbow Lameness, .... 234 

Breaking Down : Strain or RujDture of the Suspensory Ligaments, 235 

Wind-galls, ....... 235 

Curb; Sjn-ain of the Caloaneo-cuboid Ligaments, . . 23fi 

Poll Evil, 237 

Fistulous AVIthers, ...... 238 

Rotten Bone ; Necrosis and Caries of Bones, . , . 239 

Frostbite, ....... 241 

Barns and Scalds, ...... 242 

Stings and Bites, ...... 243 

Heniia ; Rupture : Burst, ..... 244 

Chokinsr. . ...... 245 



CHAPTER X. 

DISEASES OF THE EYES. 



Inflammation of the Eyes ; Conjunctivitis, 
Periodic Ophthalmia ; Moon Blindness, 
White Spot : Eye Spot : Albugo, 



248 
249 
251 



CHAPTER XT. 



DISEASES OF THE .SKIX. 



Ringworm, . 




. 


252 


Nettle Rash; Surfeit; Urticaria. 






254 


Moist Tetter; Humid Tetter; Eczema, 






254 


Mallenders and Sallenders; Psoriasis 


of the Carpu 


, and the 




Tarsus, 






250 


Warbles; Grubs; Sitfasts. 






257 


Mange ; Itch. 






258 


Lice, .... 






200 



Consents. 11 

PAET III. 

DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP AND SWINE. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

rAGE. 



General Remarks on the Diseases of Cattle, and their Treat- 
ment, ....... '2()-j 

Peculiarities of the Action of Medicines on Cattle. . - 206 



CHAPTER I. 

THE COXTAGIOUS OR EPIDEMIC DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The Cattle Plague; Rinderjiest; Contagious Enteric Fever of 

Cattle, ....... -Am 

Pleuro-Pneumonia ; Contagious Lung Fever, . . 270 

Foot and Mouth Disease ; Epizootic Aphtha.' ; Conta;Tiou.; 1m- 

zema, ....... 274 

Charbon ; Black Quarter ; Quarter 111 ; Contagious Anthrax ; 

Bloody Murrain, ...... 27ti 

Splenic Fever ; Texas Cattle Disease ; Sjianish Fever, . 281 

Cow-pox ; Smallpox of Cattle ; Variola Vaccina, . . 284 



CHAPTER II. 

XOX-COXTAGIOUS AXD EOCAT, DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

Catarrh ; Colds ; Coughs ; Snores ; Snivels, . . 285 

Consumption ; Wasting ; Pining, . . . . 287 

Hollow Horn ; Horn-ail ; Ana?mia of Cattle, . . . 289 

Hoven ; Blown; Impaction of the Rumen or First Stomach, . 291 
Fardel-bound; Maw-bound; Stomach Staggers; Impaction of 

the Omasum or Third Stoniach ; Gastritis of Ruminants; 

Lakeburu, ....... 293 



12 



Contents. 



Obstruction of the Bowels, .... 

Congestion and Inflammation of the Liver ; The Yellow 

Red Water ; Black Water ; Bloody Urine, 

Dysentery ; Bloody Flux ; Scouring Rot, 

Milk Sickness ; The Trembles, 

Rheumatism ; Felon, 

Foul in the Foot ; Foul Claw, . 

Lice, Ticks and other Vermin, . 



PAfiK. 

2U7 
2!)8 
300 
302 
304 
306 
308 
310 



CHAPTER in. 



DISEASES OF THE COW IX niEGXAXCY AXD CAI.VING 



Barrenness or Sterility, .... 

Abortion; Slinking; Slipping; l))-o]iping the Calf, . 
Calving or Parturition ; Rigid Neck of the Womb ; Bendin 

the Neck of the. Womb, 
Unnatural Positions of the Calf, 
Flooding, .... 

Retained After-birth, 
Inversion of the Womb, 
Medical Treatment of Calving, 
Management of the Milk ; To Dry the Milk ; To Bring on 

Increase the Milk ; To Correct Bloody and Blue Milk, 
Milk Fever ; Puerperal Fever ; Parturient Fever ; Parturi 

Apoplexy ; Inflammation of the Woml), 
Garget ; Caked Bag ; Mammitis, 



of 



nt 



313 
315 

318 
320 
322 
323 
323 
325 

327 

320 
333 



CHAPTER IV. 



DISEASES OF CALVES. 

First Attentions, .... 

Diarrhea or Scouring, .... 

Epidemic Colic; The Shoote or Shewte of Blood, 
Croup, ...... 

The Husk or Hoose ; Parasitic Bronchitis, 



336 
336 
3.38 
338 
339 



Confenh 



13 



CHAPTER A' 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



General Remarks on Diseases of Sheep, and tlieir Treatment, 

Braxy ; Striking of the Blood ; Charbon in Sheeji. 

Sheep Smallpox ; Variola Ovina, 

Louping 111 ; Thorter 111 ; The Gnaw Disease, 

Malignant Epizootic Catarrh ; The Sheep Distemper. 

Colic ; Blown ; Blast ; Wind Dropsy, . 

Red Water; Hgematnria, 

Hoof Rot ; Foot Rot, .... 

Foul in the Foot, .... 

Stone in the Bladder, .... 

Lambing in the Ewe ; Heaving Pains ; Milk Fever 

Rheumatism of Lambs, .... 

Constipation in Lambs, .... 

Diarrhea in Lambs, .... 

Turnsick ; Sturdy; Gid ; Hydatid of the Brain, 

Sheep Bots ; Grubs in the Head ; Head Maggots, 

Lung Worms ; The Hoose in Lambs ; White Skin ; ] 

Pelt Rot ; The Pale Disease, 
The Rot ; The Liver Fluke, 
Intestinal Worms, .... 

The Scab ; The Mange or Itch in Sheep, 



Garget 



Sk 



:!41 
;i4:! 
ol7 
34'.t 
3.j1 

<]")o 

354 
3.5-") 
3G0 
361 
362 
365 
368 
368 
371 
374 



38i 



CHAPTER Yl. 



DISEASES OF SWI\E. 

General Remarks on Diseases of Swine, . . . 388 

Hog Cholera, so-called, and its Varieties, . . . 389 

Charbon in Swine ; Malignant Anthrax ; Carl)uncular Disease: 

White Bristle, ...... 3',t0 

Contagious Pneumo-enteritis ; Red Soldier ; The Blue Disease : 

Purples, ....... 393 

Malignant Epizootic Catarrli, ..... 400 

Apoplexy and Staggers, ..... 403 

Coughs, Colds, Quinsy, and Inflammation of tlie Lungs, . 404 

Diarrheal Diseases ; Scours, ..... 406 



u 



Contents. 



Ague Cako; ^filt Swelling; Splenitis, 

Leprosy, ....... 

Trichinosis, ...... 

Hydatids of the Kidney.^: Kidney Worms; Lard Worms, 
Measles, ....... 

The Mange, Itch, or Scah. .... 

Lice. ....... 



I'AGE. 

407 
408 
409 
410 
411 
412 
413 



PART IV. 



HYGIENE AND MEDICINE. 



CHAPTER L 



HYGIENE OK 'I'llE HORSi:, AND OF FATTENING. 

Hygiene of the Horse, 

Condition Powders, 

Disinfection, .... 

Hygienic Rules for Fattening Animals, 

Cattle Powders and Condiment:d Food, 

Diets for FatteniuLC, 



417 
418 
■i-21 
4-22 
424 
425 



CHAPTER IT. 



POISOXS AND THE TREATMENT OF POISOXING. 

Ceneral Rules for the Treatment of Poisoning, . . 427 

Vegetable Poisons ; Aloes ; Castor and Croton Seeds ; Diseased 
and Spoiled Foods ; Eupatoriura ; Hellebore ; Laurel : Poi- 
sonous Mushrooms ; Opium ; Ranunculus ; Savin ; St. 
John's Wort; Tobacco; Turpentine; Stramonium, . 428 

Mineral and Chemical Poisons; Acids; Alkalies; Alcohol; 
Arsenic ; Brine ; Corrosive Siddimate ; Creasote ; Lead ; 
Mercury; Stryehinne ; Tartar Emetic, . . . 431 



Content'^. 15 



CHAPTER in. 

THK MOKK nirOKTANT DRUGS AXD MEDICINES USED FOK ANIMALS. 

Alphabetical List of the Most Useful Drugs, with their Doses, 

Forms of Administration and Formul.is, . . 430 

Classified List of Drugs, according to their Action on the 

System, with Explanations, .... 4"i8 

Index, ........ 459 



PART I. 



General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 



CHAPTER I. 

EEMAEKS ON THE AXAT03IY AXD PHYSIOLOGY OF 
DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 

The Brain and Nervous System — Tlie Organs of Breathing — • 
The Organs of Digestion — The Heart, Blood-vessels and 
Absorbents — The Kidneys and Sex Organs — The Repro- 
ductive Acts. 

When one undertakes to repair a machine he should know 
something about its construction ; and in like manner an 
acquaintance with anatomy and physiology is justly deemed 
necessary to the proper treatment of diseases. 

It is not, however, our purpose to enter into those abstruse 
sciences to any great extent; but it will be profitable to con- 
sider in broad outlines, and in language free from technicali- 
ties, the structure and functions of the four species of ani- 
mals, the horse, cattle, the sheep and the hog, whose 
diseases it is our main purpose to describe in the pages of 
this book. In doing so we shall proceed in tlie same order 
in which the diseases themselves Mill be classified when we 
come in turn to study them. 

(17) 2 



18 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

THE BRAIN AXD XEItVOUS SYSTEM. 

The cavity of the skull is filled with the brain, which is 
the organ of intelligence, of voluntary motion, and of the 
senses. The impressions on the senses are conveyed to the 
brain by the nerves, delicate branches of which are found in 
every part of the body. These branches unite and increase 
in size as we follow them up, until they reach what may be 
called the parent stem, which is the spinal cord, occupying 
the cavity in the backbone. This is attached to the brain 
at its base, so that every nerve fibre connects directly with 
the brain itself. 

The nerves of sight, of hearing, of taste and smell are 
adapted to convey the impressions of these senses only. 

In addition to this chief system of nerves, called the 
" cerebro-spinal " system, there is a lesser one, known as the 
" sympathetic " nerve system, which is distributed chiefly to 
the deep lying organs in the chest and abdomen, and to the 
blood-vessels. It is supposed to control the involuntary 
motions of those organs. 

The brain of the horse is small for his weight and the 
size of his head, weighing about thirty ounces, which is less 
than the smallest sized adult brain in man ; while the brain 
of the ox is still less, weighing about one-half that of the horse. 

As it is so much less active an organ in the lower ani- 
mals, it is much less apt to become diseased than in the 
human race. When its surfaces become inflamed, it leads to 
"mad staggers," a sort of delirium ; and when with this the 
spinal cord is attacked, tlie disease is that fatal and epidemic 
one known as " cerebro-spinal meningitis." Pressure of 
blood on the brain either by overfilling of the blood-vessels 
or by their bursting produces a stupid dull condition, passing 
at times into comj^lete unconsciousness, as we witness in 
" sleepy staggers," sunstroke and apoplexy. 



The Breathing Organs. 19 

The nerves respond to the diseased condition of the brain 
either by excessive and violent action, as displayed in the 
spasms of megrims, epilepsy, lockjaw and hydrophobia ; or 
else by a more or less complete loss of their power of convey- 
ing sensation and motion, as in the varieties of palsy. 

AYhat physicians call "diseases of the 'mind," as insanity 
and idiocy, do not seem to occur in the lower animals; 
although instances are recorded where horses have apparently 
deliberately committed suicide, which would appear to be an 
evidence of hypochondria. 

THE ORGANS OF BREATHING. 

These consist of the lungs, and the tubes through which 
air is conducted into them. Tlie lungs are composed of 
millions of little sacs or vesicles, each vesicle opening into 
a minute tube, which tubes unite to form others of larger 
calibre, called bronchi; and finally all the bronclii join the 
lower end of the Mandpipe or trachea, which continues up 
the throat to the mouth. The lungs do not lie immediately 
against the walls of the chest, but against a close msmbra- 
nous sac called the pleura, which lies between the lungs and 
the ribs. 

The act of breathing differs in frequency in different ani- 
mals. In the horse it averages in health ten or twelve times 
a minute, in the ox twelve or fourteen times, in man sixteen or 
eighteen times. It should also be quiet and regular, and any 
deviation from these natural conditions is justly regarded 
with suspicion. A warranted horse is held to be especially 
guaranteed " in wind and limb," any defect of the breathing 
organs being mentioned first as of first importance. 

When the minute vesicles of the lungs are inflamed we 
have the disease called inflammation of the lumrs, lunor fever 
or pneumonia; when the inflannnation is in the tubes or 



20 CrDieral Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

bronchi, it is called bronchitis ; when in the up])er windpipe, 
sore throat. Pleurisy is an inflanunation of the membranous 
sac we have described as the pleura. Asthma, roaring, thick 
wind, broken wind, heaves and other disorders of the breath- 
ing arise from alterations in the nerves and tissues of these 
organs ; while consumption, although a general disease of 
the system, most frequently, both in men and horses, leads 
early to a softening and breaking down of the substance of 
the lungs. 

THE OEGAKS OF DIGESTIOX. 

These include much more thaii the stomach and bowels. 
The digestion of food really begins in the mouth, where it 
is ground by the teeth and altered by the chemical action of 
the saliva. Therefore we include under this heading, the 
mouth, teeth, throat, gullet, stomach and bowels. 

It is in this part of the system that the herbivorous ani- 
mals differ most from those which eat flesh only, and those 
which eat both flesh and vegetable food. The chemical 
j)rocesses which can convert dry hay to rich blood and firm 
flesh are -SAondrously complicated and require an extensive 
laboratory. This is furnished by a remarkable length of in- 
testine and generally by several stomachs. In man the 
intestines are six or seven times longer than his body ; in the 
pig they are thirteen times longer ; in the sheep they are 
twenty-eight times ; in the ox twenty-two times ; in the 
horse but ten times the length of the body. Yet this gives 
the horse an intestinal tube ninety feet long, and capable of 
containing more than a barrel of fluid. 

The teeth, in both the horse and the ox, as in the child, 
appear at first in a temporary set called ''milk teeth," which 
are followed by permanent ones, the change being completed 
in both animals about the fifth year of life. The horse has 
forty teeth, the ox and man thirty-two. As in the human 



Or(/ans of Digestion. 21 

mouth, there are in tlie horse three kinds of teeth, tlie front 
teeth or incisors, called the " nippers; the canine teeth, called 
"tushes;" and the molar teeth, called ''grinders." The 
appearance of the teeth and the amount of wear they dis- 
close, enable those acquainted with their development to de- 
cide positively of the age of a horse within one year up to 
nine years of age. But a discussion of this subject does not 
come Avithin our province. 

The horse has but one stomach, while the ox and the sheep 
have each four. They are in both animals known by the 
same names. The first is the paunch or rumen ; the second 
is the honevcomb or kingshood ; the third is the manyplies 
or omasum ; the fourth is the red, the rennet or the aboma- 
sum. The first three communicate with the gullet by a 
common opening. The " cud " is contained in the first and 
second stomachs, and after it has been masticated a second 
time it passes to the third and fourth, and to the bowels, to 
undergo the further process of digestion. 

This is accomplished by the peculiar action upon it of the 
secretion of the fourth stomach or rennet, an action fami- 
liarly known by the use of rennet in the kitchen, and of 
" pepsin " in medicine, which is obtained directly from this 
stomach ; and after it passes into the bowels by the secre- 
tions of the liver and pancras or sweet bread. 

Thus prepared, it comes into contact in the long course of 
the bowels — two hundred feet nearly in the ox — with count- 
less little absorbing points called " villi," which take np the 
food now changed to a large extent to a thick fluid, leaving 
the insoluble and undigested portions to continue down the 
tube to the rectum or anus, whence they are periodically dis- 
charged as feces or dung. 

As may readily be conceived, this intricate and delicate 
process is easily disturbed, and hence loss of aiipetite, im- 
paired digestion, and irregularity of the bowels accompany 



22 General Principles of Veterinary 3Te(^icine. 

nearly evciy disease on the catalogue. Improper food, and 
too little or too much exercise bring on indigestion or dys- 
pepsia, in which complaint there maybe one or another form 
of disturbance. Colic, gripes or hoven is an accumulation of 
air or gas in the stomach or bowels, painfully stretching their 
walls. Scouring is a too free and watery action of the intes- 
tines ; dysentery and enteritis are when the intestines are in- 
flamed ; and obstruction occurs when through hair-balls, 
rupture or twistings their j)assage is choked up. 

THE HEAET, BLOOD-VESSELS AND ABSORBENTS. 

The digested food, we have seen above, is taken uj) in the 
intestines in the shape of a milky fluid by innnmerablc absor- 
bent points or villi. What do they do with it? They pour 
it into the absorbent vessels or lymphatics, which empty into 
larger and larger ones, and so on until the whole of the nu- 
tritive fluid is collected into one great duct or tube, which 
extends forward and pours its life-giving contents into the 
large veins at the base of the neck, whence it is conveyed to 
the heart and enters the general circulation of the blood. 

And this circulation, what is meant by it? It means 
that the blood is drawn in and driven out of the heart by 
its powerful throbs, with such force and rapidity that the 
whole of it in the body makes the circuit of the system in 
less than three minutes, washing out the dead and worn out 
particles, discharging them by the lungs, kidney and liver, 
and purging and brightening itself in the fresh air drawn 
in by the lungs for another such rapid and purifying race. 

The parts concerned in this circulation are the heart, the 
arteries and the veins. The arteries lead /rom the heart; the 
blood they carry is bright red, and it flows in waves, felt on 
the pulse, and shown when an artery is cut by the blood 
spouting in jets or spurts. The veins lead to the heart; the 



The Course of the Blood. 23 

blood they carry is dark red, and it flows in a steady, regular 
stream. The arteries divide and subdivide into innumerable 
branches, diminishing to a size Avhere it takes the strongest 
microscope to discover them, which are collected again into 
larger and larger branches to form the veins. 

These smallest divisions are the capillaries, and it is while 
in them that the blood alters in color from a bright to a dark 
red, by undergoing the changes necessary to keep up the life 
of the tissues through which it flows. 

Thus the blood is returned to the heart dark and dull, 
and loaded with worn out matter. It enters the right side 
of the heart, which has two cavities wholly separate from 
two similar ones on the left side. It is at once driven to 
the lungs, wdiere it is spread over the delicate thin walls 
of jnillions of vesicles and exposed to the air inhaled at each 
act of breathing ; it throws out carbonic acid gas, absorbs 
oxygen, and returns to the left side of the heart fresh and 
bright once more, and ready to recommence its journey. 
And so it continues its endless round till death stops it for- 
ever. 

In the human race diseases of the heart and blood-vessels 
are common, but in the lower animals they are rare. No 
doubt the erect position of man, which demands heavier 
labor from the heart, is partly a cause of this ; another is his 
greater nervous excitability, and his intemperance. In both 
species, inflammatory rheumatism is often followed by a 
change in the valves and walls of the heart. 

Practically, it is of great importance to be able to distin- 
guish bleeding from arteries from bleeding from veins by the 
color of the blood. For venous bleeding will usually cease 
by simple measures; but arterial bleeding recpiires the liga- 
ture. 

When the amount and quality of the food is largely in 
excess of the needs of the system for repairing its waste by 



24 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

exercise, the blood is said to be " too rich," and the animal 
increases in fat, and may become sluggish and torpid. This 
state of plethora or "over-condition," though not actually a 
disease, is not one of the most perfect health ; and though it 
suits well for stall-fed steers, it is injurioiis to milk-cows and 
work or racing horses. It is counteracted by lower diet, 
more exercise, a brisk purge, and in racers by the process of 
"sweating" them under the saddle and sweat-cloths. 

THE KIDNEYS AND SEX ORGANS. 

The kidneys are the organs which secrete the urine from 
the blood. The fluid flows from them through a duct into 
the bladder, whence it is expelled from time to time. The 
urine of horses has a peculiar, strong unpleasant odor, and a 
bitter, salty taste; the urine of cattle is clear, of a pale 
yellow color, of a bitter taste, and a strong alkaline reaction. 
The urine of the sheep and the pig resembles that of cattle. 

The sex organs in the male horse are the sheath, the yard 
and the testicles. -In the gelding and the steer, the latter are 
removed by the operation of castration. 

In the female the sex organs are the uterus or womb with 
its appendages, the ovaries and the vagina, which is the 
passage which conducts to the womb. In mares this is about 
eighteen inches long. In the operation of spaying, the ova- 
ries are removed, which renders the female barren, and 
usually destroys her sexual desires. 

These desires in the female lower animals are only mani- 
fested, when in health, on certain periodical occasions, known 
as the "oestrum," when the animal is said to be "in heat." 
This is manifested by restlessness, calling the male, signs of 
congestion and irritation about the sex organs, and by the 
discharge of a fluid from the vagina, Avhich is said to have a 
characteristic and penetrating odor in the highest degree ex- 
citing to the perfect male. 



Breeding In-and-in. 25 

The mammary glands or udder is an appendage of the sex 
organs in the female. It is brought into aetion after fertile 
connection and reproduction have been accomplished — though 
the secretion of milk is possible without these. 

Although the horse, ox and sheep are strictly herbivorous 
animals, they live, when young, on animal food in the form 
of milk ; and. it is the desire by man to partake of this food 
that leads him to give so much attention to the breeding of 
cows in this country and of mares in Asia. 

The diseases of these organs form a very important class. 
Disturbances of the urinary secretion are by no means un- 
common in our domestic animals. Diabetes or excessive uri- 
nation is a familiar example ; " red water " and " black 
water " are known in both horses and cows ; and inflamma- 
tory affections of the bladder and kidneys, though not fre- 
quent, are always troublesome. 

With regard to the sex organs, the difficulties and compli- 
cations of pregnancy and parturition demand careful study 
on the part of the stock owner ; and disorders of the udder, 
the treatment of milk fever, and the management of new- 
born calves are subjects with which every one having the 
care of domestic animals should make himself acquainted. 

Another and important to]Hc, which comes appropriately 
in this connection, is the effect on the health of stock of 
breeding in-and-in. As a predisposing cause to certain very 
dangerous diseases, it has not received in the United States, 
at least, the attention it should have. 

The ill effects of close breeding are seen less in the horse, 
than in cattle and sheep. In cattle the extremities become 
delicate, the hair smooth and fine, the ears thin, and the 
general sensitiveness increased. The animal becomes more 
subject to various diseases, especially of the lungs, and to 
what are called " clayers " in the throat. The English herd 
books give instances where once famous herds have de- 



26 General Frinciples of \^eterinari/ Jledichie. 

generated and become extinct by persistent in-and-in breed- 
ing. 

In sheep the eifects are to produce fine and delicate ex- 
tremities, to bare the head of ^vool, anu to render the ears 
thin and red. The animal becomes very susceptible to cold, 
and uncommonly subject to such diseases as flukes and loot 
rot. 

THE EEPKODUCTIYE ACTS. 

In regard to the development of the reproductive powers, 
the domestic animals differ widely. 

The mare begins to breed at four years of age and carries 
her young 340 days from the time of conception to its natu- 
ral delivery. She may safely be worked to within two weeks 
of that time, but should have rest for three or four wrecks 
afterwards. The foal should be weaned at five or six months 
of age. 

The youngest age at which the heifer should be put to the 
bull is laid down by the best English breeders at one year 
and eight months. She carries her young the same length 
of time as the human female, to wit, about nine mouths. 
The most favorable period for calving is in the spring. For 
five or six weeks previous to its occurrence her milk should 
be dried, and during the whole period of gestation, she 
should be underfed rather than overfed, too rich diet being 
a very common cause of abortion. The calf should have 
nothing but the teat for three or four weeks, when it may 
begin Avith skimmed milk, etc. 

Both rams and ewes are ready to breed at fifteen montlis 
of age. The ewe carries her young one hundred and fifty- 
two days. When born, it is often very delicate antl requires 
the attentive care of the shepherd to survive. 

The sow should breed at one year of age. Her period of 
gestation is 113 days, and it is a prudent precaution to sepa- 



Nursing. 27 

rate her from the rest of the herd for one week before her 
farrowing is due. In three weeks from their birth the 
yomig pigs begin to eat other food than the milk of the sow. 



CHAPTER II. 

KURSIXG, CARE AXD DIET OF SICK ANIMALS. 

Separation and Stabling — Disinfection — Rest and Sleep — 
Cleansing and Dressing — Position, Slings and Cradles — 
Food and Drink — Special Diet Preparations. 

As in the human species, so in the domestic animals, very 
much of the success of medicines depends upon intelligent 
nursing ; and the most approved skill of the veterinarian 
will fail utterly, if the principles of hygiene and sanitation 
are neglected. These principles we shall now specify. 

SEPARATION AND STABLING. 

Whenever an animal is seen to be ailing, it should be sepa- 
rated from others and placed in a lot or pen apart, or in a 
stall at a distance from others. This is especially important 
when contagious diseases are prevalent, but it should be a 
rule at all times and in every instance. 

The stall chosen should be roomy, well drained and ven- 
tilated, free from the odors of decaying animal or vegetable 
matters, moderately lighted and cpiiet. The temperature to 
be preferred is about 60° or 65° Fah. 

A loose box is preferable to a stall, w^hen it is to be had, 
as it allows an animal more liberty of movement, and permits 
him to assume any position which is most comfortable. The 



28 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

floor should be well littered with clean straw which should 
be changed as often as it becomes foul with the discharges. 
Surface gutters are to be preferred in all instances to traps 
or sink holes, as the former allow the discharges to be 
rapidly and thoroughly removed. 

In some systems of ventilation, especially that by a tube 
or shaft descending from the roof, and that by open doors 
and windows, there is danger, especially at night, of a cur- 
rent of raw cold air striking the animal, and chilling it to a 
dangerous deo-ree. Louver windows in the roof or under the 
eaves, if properly made, are less objectionable; and best of 
all is a ventilating shaft which has its opening within a foot 
or two of the floor, the current in which is maintained by a 
revolving ventilator at the top. 

DISINFECTION. 

Should never be neglected. The walls should be fre- 
quently whitewashed, and the discharges deodorized by the 
use of sulphate of iron (copperas), which is a cheap and effi- 
cient agent for the purpose. A handful may be dissolved in 
a bucket of water and thrown into the drain. 

More efficient is the chloride of zinc (butter of zinc), which 
may be dissolved in water in the proportion of an ounce to 
one or two gallons. It is very effective, and not liable to be 
absorbed. 

In contagious cases it is of the first importance that the 
infecting germs be destroyed as soon as they are produced, 
and before they have had a chance to spread the contagion. 
The attendants on such cases should not handle or approach 
healthy animals, when it is possible to avoid it. 

The sheds or stables occupied by such ajiimals should be 
fumigated with sulphur two or three times a week. The 
fumes should not be strong enough to set the animals cough- 



Disinfecting. 29 

ing. If mixed with tar, the gases generated by the com- 
bustion of the two form the most active atmospheric disin- 
fectant now known to science. 

No. 1. Flowers of sulphur, ^ lb. 

Wood tar, 1 qt. 

Mix with tow. 

This much, burned at one or two spots, \\\\\ ho, enough to 
•disinfect a shed one hundred feet long and twenty wide. 

Carbolic acid in its impure liquid fortn ia conveniently 
applied with a brush over the doors, walls and troughs, and 
may also be applied to the hooves of the animals. Rugs or 
blankets may be wet with a weak solution of it and hung 
around, to attract and destroy any disease germs floating in 
the atmosphere. It also has the advantage of being dis- 
agreeable to flies, which in the summer time are otherwise 
sure to attack and annoy the sick animal. 

Chloride of lime is also a popular disinfectant, ])at apart 
from it being generally highly disagreeable to animals, it is 
not so active as those we have already mentioned. 

The value of disinfection is no longer open to discussion. 
It has been sliown beyond controversy that over and over 
ao-ain such malio-nant maladies as the foot- and-mouth disease, 
the cattle plague and black quarter have been stayed in their 
ravages and prevented from extending by a free, constant 
and wise use of these potent agents. We add formulas to 
prepare a number of them besides those already mentioned, 
ijo that one may be obtained when another is not convenient. 

No. 2. Sulplinte of iron, 2 parts. 

Snliihate of zinc, ) ^„^i i ,^„„. 

„ ' 111- ] i each 1 part. 

Ian or oak bark in powder, ) 

Mix with tar into balls the size of the fist, and put into drains, cess- 
pools and sink holes. 

No. 3. T)ry chloride of lime, 2 parts. 

Burnt alum, 1 part. 
To be set in shallow dishes about the stables &c. This is known 
as " Collins' Disinfecting Powder.'' 



30 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

No. 4. Common salt, 2 lbs. 

Oil of vitriol, 1 pint. 
Pour the oil of vitriol slowly in the salt, and muriatic gas will be 

evolved, which is a powerful disinfectant. Eecommended by the 

Cattle Plague Commission. 

What are known as the " distnfecting powders," which 
are prepirations of carbolic acid by McDougall, Calvert and 
other makers, are sprinkled daily throughout the extensive 
stables in London and Liverpool, at an annual cost of only 
one dollar and a quarter for each horse. They keep the flies 
away and the atmosphere pure. 



REST AXD SLEEP 

Are great restoratives to the exhausted system. Hence the 
attendant on the sick animal s-hould be careful to secure 
these. Horses are nervous creatures, and cannot sleep sound- 
ly where there is much noise. When sick, no one should be 
allowed to walk about on a floor overhead, especially at 
night; the stall should be darkened, and the crowd of pas- 
sing visitors which generally collects, should promptly be 
dispersed. 

Especially is this true of all diseases of the brain and ner- 
vous system ; to such a degree, indeed, that the prescription 
in tetanus (lockjaw) of an eminent veterinarian is for the 
owner of the animal to lock the stable door, put the key in 
his pocket, and not approach the place again for three days. 

This general rest is to be carried further, to rest of the 
part which is diseased. If the digestive organs are inflamed 
the simplest and blandest food and not much of that is to be 
allowed ; purgatives are to be withheld as only adding fuel 
to the flames. Tf the eye or the foot is inflamed, shading 
from the li^ht is demanded in the first, and entire freedom 
from motion in the second case. But when acute disease has 



Cleanliness. 31 

passed away, the gradual use of an aifected part generally 
does good. 

CLEAXIXG AND DRESSING. 

A sick animal should be kept scrupulously clean. This 
is neither an easy nor a pleasant task, especially with cows 
and cattle suifering from dysentery and other scouring disea- 
ses. They lie down and obstinately refuse to move even to 
get out of the way of their own discharges. They must be 
well bedded, and gentle but sufficient force be used to wash 
them thoroughly once a day. When the condition is one of 
fever, if the body is sponged several times a day with some 
vinegar added to tepid water, great comfort will result, and 
the hot and dry condition of the skin be much relieved. 

Harsh rubbing, scraping, and the currycomb are not 
the means to use in cleansing a sick animal. Plenty of 
warm water and the handbrush, followed by the cloth, are 
what are needed. 

In feverish diseases and inflammations both in horses and 
cattle, and in recovery from exhausting attacks of all kinds, 
a w^arra rug or two and bandages to the legs help to maintain 
an even temperature, and combat congestion of the internal 
organs. 

In putting on bandages the art is to avoid unequal pres- 
sure, and yet in giving sufficient to affi^rd gentle support and 
to distribute equable heat. The bandages are usually of 
flannel or some other woolen material. They, as well as all 
other clothing, should always be removed twice daily, the 
skin washed ofl^ and rubbed, and the covering promptly 
re-applied. 

Attention to the hair is a very important question in dress- 
ing, especially in horses. There has been a prejudice, and 
we believe an entirely unfounded one, in this country against 
"clipping" horses. Yet as a measure of comfort in 



32 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

health, and improvement in disease, Ave believe it a very 
desirable procedure. Not to discuss the question we shall 
simply quote the words of that very eminent autliority, 
Prof. W. Williams, Principal of the Veterinary College 
of Edinburgh. He says : " With reference to the clipping 
of horses, I am of opinion that it is a great advantage ; they 
work better after being clipped ; thrive on less food ; are less 
liable to disease ; and when sick recover in a much shorter 
time." Frequently, therefore, it is a part of good nursing 
to clip them. 

When this is not done, it is often of advantage to cut 
away the hair at the fetlocks, and under the chin, and trim 
the main and tail. Many horses which are " hide bound," 
out of condition, mangey, and generally run down, will re- 
cover forthwith as soon as they are clipped and closely 
trimmed. 

In all instances the feet should be looked to. The shoes 
should be removed, and a " stopping " of equal parts of cow 
dung and clay be used in horses ; while in cattle it is well to 
paint the hoofs with tar, or impure carbolic acid. 

POSITION, SLIXGS AND CRADLES. 

A horse has generally a nervous fear about lying down 
.when sick, on account of the increased difficulty he experi- 
ences in breathing in that condition ; hence he is apt, wdien 
he can no longer stand, to give up tlie struggle in despair 
and to die when his attack is not necessarily mortal. This is 
not the case with cows and cattle, as they spend much of 
their time reclining, and as a rule adopt that position early 
in their sickness. 

Of course, when the leg or foot is seriously diseased, the 
horse finds flir greater comfort lying, and then it is bad man- 
agement to prevent him doing so. But otherwise we incline 
to believe a horse should be encouraged to stand as long as 



Slings for IIorf<es. 33 

possible. It is his natural position in sleep, and it is 
not nearly so fatiguing to hira, even Avhen extremely de- 
bilitated, as some kind hearted people but of slight anatomi- 
cal knowledge, have asserted. 

In fact, no stable is complete in its appointments that is 
not provided with the apparatus known as " the sling," in 
which to support in an erect position a horse unable or un- 
willing to stand. The use of this alone will cure some cases, 
and is absolutely indispensable for the successful treatment 
of many others. The simi)lest form of the sling, as recom- 
mended by Prof. Law, is as follows : 

Four strong posts are fixed to the ground and roof so as 
to form an oblong, inside which the four feet of the animal 
may stand. A strong horizontal bar is then fixed to the two 
posts on each side, at such a height as to correspond to the 
middle of the body. Then the animal being walked into 
the frame, a horizontal bar is fixed between the two front 
posts so high as to cross the lower part of the neck, and 
another between the tMO hind posts at about the height of 
the stifle. Next a strong piece of sailcloth or other firm 
material strengthened by small ropes, is fixed to the bar on 
one side by being wound around and nailed to the outer 
side, and having been passed beneath the body is nailed to 
the bar on the other side in the same way. It must be just 
sufficiently far back to clear the fore limbs, and just so loose 
as to allow the patient to stand over it without pressure or 
chafing, or to settle himself into it at will. In the male care 
must be taken to have it narrow enough not to cover the sheath. 

It is often necessary to allow an animal to become 
fatigued by standing for a dny or two before being ])ut in a 
sling, otherwise he may be very irritable at first. Care 
must be taken not to let him feel the sling beneath hira 
until it is ready to be fixed, as many jjatients will settle down 
into it the moment it is felt. 

3 



34 General Principles of YcteriiKiry Medicine. 

Anotlier and in .some respects preferable plan, is to take a 
strong piece of sailcloth of the width of the distance from 
the sheath to behind the fore limbs, and of a length equal to 
the girth of the liorse. AVrap each end twice around two- 
inch rollers of wood and nail them securely, and work a two- 
inch wide buttonhole in each end of cloth just beneath the 
middle of each roller. A rope and tackle should noM' be 




FIG. 1. — A HORSE IN A SLING. 



fastened securely to the ceiling of the stable and a p shaped 
hook of bar-iron be obtained from the blacksmith, the up- 
turned ends of which are to be inserted in the buttonholes, 
and the central portion of which is connected with the pul- 
ley, and tluis the horse raised or lowered at pleasure. Breast 
straps and brcechljands can be added as desired. 



Diet of Sick Animals. 35 

Cradles are used in cases of fracture of the bones of the 
jaw. Some are ehiborately made of steel bands and leather 
straps; but any inventive person can devise one from thin 
and strong strips of wood and firm bandages, the object in 
all cases beino- to maintain the frao-raents of the bones in 
their natural positions until union has taken place between 
them. Hatters' felt, stiffened with shellac, and hard rubber 
in sheets, either of which can be moulded to tlie part when 
moistened with hot water, are useful in such cases. 

FOOD AND DRINK. 

In sickness food requires to be given with special care and 
in an easily digestible form, for in all serious diseases the 
digestive powers are impaired. In not a few complaints of 
a feverish character, both of horses and cattle, the ordinary 
grains and dry fodders 'are not readily digested, and con- 
sequently give rise to derangement of the stomach and 
bowels. Such patients should be fed on mashes, gruels and 
other soft food, to which milk and eggs can be added ^^Ilen 
active nutrition is demanded. 

Food should never be allowed to lie long before a sick 
animal. If not promptly consumed it should be removed, 
and in a couple of hours or less time another supply be fur- 
nished. In most cases of disease, it is better to give small 
quantities at a time, and have it often repeated. With re- 
turning appetite, a convalescing animal will often eat more 
than is good for liim, and thus bring about a relapse of the 
disease. With the horse, it must be remembered that his 
stomach is small for his size, and that even in health he does 
not bear hunger nearly so well as man, and requires food as 
often as every four hours. He also urgently desires a change 
of diet, neither grain nor clean hay alone fully satisfying his 
craviuii'. 



36 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

Unless wlien aifected with diarrhoea, dysentery or diabetes, 
animals do not injure themselves by taking too much water, 
but are often rendered nncomfortable and recovery retarded 
by undue restriction in this direction. A supply of water, 
cool, clean soft water, should always be within their reach, 
except in the diseases mentioned, when the quantity must be 
limited. Small quantities given often will allay thirst much 
more certainly than large quantities at long intervals. The 
horse is especially delicate about drinking water, and when 
sick, neither hard nor dirty nor tepid water should be offered 
him ; and if the nitre, etc., often added to the water appears 
distasteful, it should be omitted. 

In all instances a lump of rock salt should be placed in. 
the feed trough for him to lick at, at his pleasure. 

SPECIAL DIET PREPARATIONS. 

These, for' animals, mostly consist of mild, nutritious or 
cooling drinks, and mashes. 

An excellent substance for them is linseed, either in the 
form of gruel, tea or cake. It is soothing, palatable, easily 
digested, and moderately laxative. Oat meal, ground corn, 
barley and bran, are other useful forms of grain suitable for 
special diet. We add recipes for a few of their preparations. 

Linseed Tea. 

No. 5. Bruised linseed, 4 to 6 oz. 

Boiling water, 1 gallon. 

Simmer for two hours, strain and add a few spoonfuls of molasses or 
honey. 

Linseed Mash. 

No. 6. Linseed, 2 qts. 

Sugar, 2 oz. 

Boiling water, 6 qts. 
Simmer for several hours on a slow fire. 



Sjx'cial Diet liccvipt.s. 37 

Barley Water. 

No. 7. Barley, 1 lb. 

Water, 2 galls. 
Boil to six quarts, strain, and add a teacupful of molasses. 

Malt Mash. 

No. 8. Ground malt, 1 peck. 

Boiling water, Ij gall. 
Stir frequently, and give when milk warm. This is a nutritious mash, 
valuable in debility. 

Bran Masli. 

No. 9. Bran, h peck. 

Boiling water, enough to scald it thoroughly. 

Stir and give when milk warm. Softening and laxative. 

Oatmeal Gruel. 

No. 10. Oatmeal, 

Water, each, \ pint. 
Mix well together, then add to one gallon of boiling wiiter, and boil 
for a few minutes. 

No. 11. Fresh eggs, 4. 

Fresh milk, 2 qts. 
Beat together, and give milk warm. A concentrated form of nourish 
ment in exhausted conditious. 



38 (iciirral Pr'niciph'H of Veterinary Medicine. 

CHAPTER III. 

FORMS OF MEDICINES, AND 3IETH0DS OF THEIR ADMINIS- 
TRATION. 

List of Forms and 3IetJiods — Medication by the Mouth — In- 
jections into the Nose — Medication by the Rectum, and 
Vagina — Medication by the Blood-vessels — External 
Metliods of Medication — Weights and Measures, and their 
Domestic Equivalen ts. 

Medicines can be conveniently administered to the lower 
animals by a number of diiferent methods, which may be 
classified into internal and external, as follows : 

Internal Methods. 

1. By the mouth or nostrils, in the form of 

Balls or boluses. 

Powders. 

Drenches, draughts or drinks. 

Vapors, sprays and fumes. 

Snuffs. 

2. By the rectum or vagina, in the form of 

Injections, clysters or enemas. 
Suppositories. 

3. By the blood-vessels, in the form of 

Subcutaneous or hypodermic injections. 
Injections into veins. 

External Methods. 
In the forms of 

Lotions and liniments. 
Poultices and fomentations. 
Ointments, plasters and charges. 



Medication h\j the Mouth or JS^odrii.s. 39 

MEDICATION BY THE MOUTH OR NOSTRILS. 

A ball or bolus is made by mixing the medicine to be 
given with huseed meal, molasses or soap, to bring the mass 
to a consistency of a thick paste, and then rolling it out in 
the shape of a small cylinder, about two inches long by a 
lialf or three-quarters thick. These can be wrapped in oiled 
paper or coated with sugar or gum. For horses this is the 
most common and handy method of giving medicine. What 
is called " common mass " is a mixture of equal parts of 
linseed and molasses, and is much used for giving a proper 
consistence to other drug&. 

The ball may be administered either with the aid of the 
balling iron or with the fingers, and the latter plan is gene- 
rally preferable. The operation is as follows : — 

The ball is held by one end in the right hand between the 
thumb, which supports it below, and the fingers above, the 




fk; 2— mode of admixistering a ball ey the hand. 

hand being drawn together and rounded as n)uch as possible. 
The horse's tongue is gently drawn out a little May by the 



40 



General PrincipJe.^ of Veterinary 3Iedicine. 



left liand, and the ball passed rapidly along the roof of the 
month, and dropped on the back of the tongne. The hand 
is quickly withdrawn, the tongue returned to the mouth, the 
jaws closed and the head for a couple of minutes held slight- 
ly elevated, and the side of the neck watched to see the ball 
swallowed and pass down the throat. 

In performing this operation it is well to observe the fol- 
lowing rules : — 

1. Take the horse out of his stall, and let him have a 
baiter on, held by an assistant. 

2. Stand on the off side of the horse's head, and be sure 
J hold the tongue so that in any movement the horse may 

make, you have a support for the hand against the lower 
jaw. 

3. Do not pull on the tongue, and let your movements be 
quiet but rai)id. 

With vicious horses, those with small and narroM" months. 
and in certain diseases, as lockjaw and mad staggers, balling 
irons have been devised, by Avhich the moutli is kept open, 




FIG. 3. — SIMPLE FORM OF A BALLING IROX. 

and the ball can be given with safety. The above is a 
simple form which can readily be made of iron by any black- 
smith, of size to suit. 

The ball is sometimes fastened loosely to the end of a small 
stick, and thus carried to the ba<'k part of the tongue. 



Giv ng Ilediciacs by the Mouth. 41 

Vapors, Sprays, and Fumes are forms of medicines drawn 
in with the breath. They are easy of administration, and of 
much wider use than most veterinarians take advantage of. 
Among them, the ancesthetics, chloroform and ether, take the 
first rank. A sponge in a loose net may be fastened over the 
head of the animal, the moutli having previously been muz- 
zled, and the anaesthetic poured on the spoLge ; or it may be 
simply held to the nose. 

In many diseases of the throat and windpipe, as catarrh, 
sore throat and strangles, steam, either pure, or from water 
containing vinegar, laudanum, belladonna, sulphurous acid, 
and the like, will give great and promj^t relief. The steam 
is readily evolved from a well made hot bran mash placed in 
a roomy nose bag ; or the head of the animal may be held 
over a bucket of hot water, j)lain or medicated, from which 
the steam is driven off by plunging a hot iron into it at short 
intervals. 

Vapors can readily be produced in any liquid substance by 
pLcing it in what is called an atomizer. Tlie most conven- 
ient of these is the form worked by the hand called the 
" hand ball atomizer." For diseases of the nostrils, mouth 
and throat this is a valuable instrument. 

For disinfecting purposes and for treating the lining 
membrane of the breathing organs, inhalations of smokes 
and gases are of service. J'lowers of sulphur on hot coals 
will soon fill a closed stable with sulphurous acid, a medical 
and disinfecting agent of great power ; burning tar is asserted 
by many to give off fumes very beneficial in chronic cough ; 
chloride of lime evolves an odorous gas of value in contagious 
diseases, and which keeps away flies and mosquitoes. 

Snuffs arc used to bring on violent expulsion of the secre- 
tions of the nostrils, thus clearing the air passages, or as a 
local application to diseases of the inner surface of the nose. 
There is a small apparatus used to throw them up, consisting 



42 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

of a tube and a hollow rubber ball, by pressure on which the 
powder is forcibly driven up the nostrils or down the throat. 
But a hollow reed charged with the powder with a piece of 
rubber tubing and mouthpiece, blown forcibly l)y the oper- 
ator, will answer quite as well. 

MEDICATION BY THE RECTUM OR VAGINA. 

Injections into the rectum are frequently used in animals 
for constipation, piles, colic, and whenever the object is to 
keep the bowels in order. Their use will often take the place 
of jiurgative medicines given by the mouth. In thread 
worms they are the oidy measures worth resorting to. When 
tepid and with the addition of laudanum or belladonna they 
will relieve irritation of the kidneys, bowels and womb. 
After giving birth, mares and cows are frequently benefitted 
by having the vagina washed out with a mild disinfectant, as 
a weak solution of permanganate of potash or sulphurous acid. 

AYhen intended to be retained and absorbed, injections in 
the horse and ox should not exceed two or three pints ; but 
Avhen the object is to produce evacuation of the bowels, three 
or four times this amount may be used. In case of obstinate 
obstruction of the bowels very large injections with an extra 
long tube are required, and arc generally successful, if com- 
menced early. 

Quite a variety of apparatus has been invented to give in- 
jections. The ordinary barrel syringe is often used. The 
ball syringe is more convenient, as it saves all pumping and 
refilling. Probably better than all is the " Fountain Syringe," 
which works by the force of gravity. An open rubber bag, 
holding half a gallon, may be suspended several feet above 
the animal's back ; from this a half-inch tube of rubber or 
leather, the end of which is well oiled and inserted into the 
rectum, conveys the fluid into the gut without any exertion 



Giving Jledicines hi) Injections. 43 

and in any desired quantity. It is a mistake to suppose any 
force is required, llie fluid will fall by the force of gravity, 
and as the intestinal canal is in animals when standing, lower 
than the outer opening of the gut, the injection will slowly 
but surely penetrate without the use of force. 

Another useful instrument on the same plan is Professor 
Gamgee's Funnel. It consists of a straight metallic tube, 12 
inches long, tapered and rounded oif at one end, bent at a 
right angle at the opposite extremity, which supports a broad 
funnel about 6 inches deep and 7 in its greatest diameter. 
Its extremity should be oiled and introduced into the rectum, 
and the fluid poured into the funnel. The injection may be 
repeated every quarter of an hour until relief is experienced. 




FIG. 4. — I'ROF. GAJIGEE'S FUNNEL FOR INJECTION. 

Suppositories. Almost all medicines may be given to 
animals in the same doses, by the rectum as by the mouth. 
They may be made in a solid form, something like a ball, 
by means of soap, lard, or starch, and are then called sup- 
positories. A cylinder of soap introduced into the rectum 
of young foals and calves encourages the action of the 
bowels and ducts more promptly than a purge. Supposi- 
tories may be made with disinfectants and introduced into 



44 (General Principles of Vderinai-if 3ledicine. 

the vagina of cows after calving to purify the discharges 
and lessen the danger of puerperal fever. 



MEDICATIONS BY THE BLOOD-VESSELS. 

The luostsafe and convenient plan to introduce medicines 
into the system is by the Iii/podcnniG si/ringe. This is a 
small syringe, holding a few teaspoonfuls, with a long 
needle-like point, through which a delicate canal is pierced. 




THE HYPODEKMIC SVKINGE. 



This has been used extensively for many years in human 
patients, and is even better adapted to animals, on account 
of the difficulty of forcing them to take remedies, and the 
more prompt and certain action of the subcutaneous method. 
Of course, very concentrated forms of medicines are used, as 
but a few drops or a half teaspoonful are thrown by the 
syringe at a time. But modern chemistry offers such potent 
and intense preparations that this is no objection. 

In giving a hypodermic injection it is not very important 
what part of the animal we choose, though the general rule 
is to select a point near the seat of disease. It is best to 
shave or clip the hair for a space of a few inches; next, 
2)inching up the skin a slight cut is made in one end of the 
little ridge thus elevated and the nozzle of the syringe in- 
serted and pushed its full length, parallel to the surface, in 
the loose tissue beneath the ridge; then it is withdrawn half 
way and the contents of the syringe throMu slowly and 



Injections and Lotions. 45 

steadily into the canal thus made; finally the syringe is 
withdrawn, and the finger held for a minute over the wound 
to prevent the fluid escaping. This slight and almost pain- 
less operation can after a little practice be performed with 

such ease, that it cannot but become a favorite method of 

... . * . 

administration. We shall give the doses and preparations 

called for in many disease, by this plan. 

Injections into the veins have been at times employed with 
success. The jugular vein, which is easily accessible in all 
animals, underneath the skin at the upper part of the neck, 
is the one selected by j)reference. It is opened with a com- 
mon fleam, and the liquid injected with a syringe. Only 
small quantities can be used in this manner. They should 
be well strained and clear, and warmed to the temperature 
of the blood, which is 98° Fah. ]\Iilk and the blood of 
healthy animals can be thrown into the veins of weak and 
exhausted ones, and often the system is much benefitted. 
But beyond this, the use of intra-venous injections is likely 
to be limited. 

EXTERNAL METHODS. 

Lotions are fluid preparations generally made up extempo- 
raneously and used for washing oi* bathing the part. For 
bruises and sprains cooling lotions are prepared with nitre, 
sal ammoniac and water, vinegar and water, dilute alcohol 
or simple cold water. Astringent lotions containing tannic 
acid, sugar of lead, etc., are valuable in moist skin diseases. 
Anodyne lotions relieve heat and pain in inflammation ; and 
inflamed eyes are treated with cool or slightly astringent 
lotions. 

When the fluid is used for rubbing on the part, it is called 
a liniment or embrocation. These are very extensively em- 
ployed in veterinary medicine for chronic swellings, painful 



46 General Principles of Veterinary Bledlclne. 

joints and muscles, for dispersing tumors, and stimulating 
internal organs. 

Poultices are soft and moist applications, intended to 
sootlie, soften and relax the surfaces to Mdiich they are ap- 
plied. They may be cold or hot, and may be either plain 
or medicated. Hot poultices are commonly made of linseed 
meal, bran or hot mush, with a sufficiency of boiling water 
to bring them to a suitable consistence. Hot poultices 
encourage suppuration and should not be applied to fresh 
wounds. 

Cold poultices are made in the same way as hot poultices, 
and allowed to grow cold. 

Powders are generally mixed with the animal's food or 
stirred in gruel or soft feed. But unless agreeable to the 
taste they will be refused in this form. When small in 
quantity they may be dropj^ed on the tongue. Most reme- 
dies can be obtained in this form, and it is for tasteless or 
pleasant ones the most convenient form in which to admin- 
ister them. Their etieet is as a rule not so prompt as when 
given in solution. 

Drenches, Drafts or Drinks. All varieties of liquid medi- 
cines may be administered by these methods. When taste- 
less or palateable to the animal they may be mixed with its 
ordinary beverage, water or milk, as the case may be. When 
such is not the case they must be poured down the throat, 
constituting what farmers call a drench. 

The quantity so administered at a time should not be too 
o-rcat; for a horse, one to two pints, for an ox, one to two 
quarts, for a sheep or pig half a pint, are the proper 
amounts. The instrument often used is a strong glass 
bottle; but one made of block tin, and flattened, is safer. 



( )n J>renchlng I-Tor.^es. 



47 



Best of all is the old-fashioned drenching-horn, when one 
has had a little. practice with it, and knows how to manage 
it. The most desirable shape is one in which the point of 
the horn turns downward, while the lai-ge end has an oblique 
opening turned in the upward direction, as in this figure: 




FIG. C. — THE BEST SHAPE OF A DRENCHING HORN. 

Drenches ought always to be thoroughly mixed and well- 
shaken before being given, and if a violent fit of coughing 
comes on during their administration, they should be sus- 
pended and the animal set free for a few minutes. 

We shall now proceed to give special directions for drench- 
ing various animals, adopting as our guide that able veteri- 
narian, Prof. John Gamgee. 



EULES FOR DREXCHIXG A HORSE. 

As regards the process of exhibiting a drench to a horse, 
it is not always well understood; and hence serious and fatal 
consequences have resulted from the exhibition of remedies 
in the liquid form. 

The rules to observe are : 

First, Hold the horse's head up at a moderate heiglif, 
so that the line of the face is horizontal. 

Secondly, Secure the tongue to prevent the lapping out of 
the liquid, but allow of sufficient movement of lips, tongue, 
cheeks, and jaM's, so as not to interfere with the first act of 
swallowing. To draw the tongue forciblv outwards is very 



48 General Principles of Yeterirutry Medicine. 

injudicious, as if the tongue l)e stretched it does not aid in 
pressing back the fluid, wliich gravitates as the tongue is 
pulled upon, and the larynx and pharynx" advance; — the 
animal may thus be choked. 




FIG. 7. — HOLDING A HORSE FOR UREXCHING. 

Thirdly, If an animal makes an effort to cough, rather 
lose the draught than risk the danger of choking, which so 
readily occurs if fluid be suddenly thrown over the tongue. 

Fourthly, Entice efforts of swallowing, should the horse 



On Drenching Hodhs and Oxen. 40 

obstinately and artfnlly retain the liquid in his mouth. 
This is effected by rubbing the throat, and exerting pressure 
in the space between the lower jaw bones. 

The methods of holding horses during the exhibition of a 
draught are various, but the most important ones are three. 
In the first place, by lopes and pulleys a horse's head is 
pulled up from a beam or other high object in a stable or 
shed. This is very objectionable, especially in a vicious 
horse; and it does not answer better than the second manner 
of introducing a rope noose over the upper jaw. This noose 
is attached to a stick, or slipped over a stable-fork prong 
(see Fig. 7) ; and a man can then hold up the head of the 
heaviest horse and follow him in his movements. It requires 
management. 

In Fig. 8 the third manner of holding a horse's head 
up and exhibiting a drench is represented. It is the most 
simple and useful method. It only requires one person, who 
holds the tongue, places his thumb round the lower jaw, and 
with his fingers causes the horse to open his mouth whilst 
the draught is poured out of the horn with the right hand. 

In cases of lock-jaw or tetanus, it is difficult to exhibit 
even fluid medicines to horses. There are two useful meth- 
ods, however, to accomplish this. The first is by the intro- 
duction of a tube into the gullet through the mouth ; 
and the second is by pouring or pumping the fluid through 
the nose. The objections to the latter procedure are not so 
Aveighty as at first sight may appear, provided the fluid is a 
perfect solution, and poured down the inferior or })osterior 
channel of the nostril Math care. 

.RULES FOR GIVING DRENCHES TO THE OX. 

The horn should always be used. The manner of hold- 
ing the horn, of securing the animal, and giving the drench, 
is clearly represented in Fig. 9. 

4 



50 



(icnrnii J^rhwijyfes of ]'<'tcriiiart/ Medicine. 



The chief points to attend tt) are — (a) not to iri'itate the 
animal ; (b) always to attempt the operation from the right 
side ; (c) seize hold of the upper jaw by passing the left hand 
over the head ; and bend the latter far round to the right ; 




FIG. 8. — HOLDING A HOUSE FOR CRENCHINQ. 

this simple contrivance very eiFectually tames or disarms even 
a vicious bull, ox, or cow; (d) the operator should stand well 
with his back against the animal's shoulder, projiping him- 



Hoiii fo Drench Cattle 



51 



self up with the right leg; to do this tlie animal should, 
especially if awkward, be against a wall on its loft side. An 
incautious person may be severely bruised and tin-own into 
the manger by proceeding up to the head of a cow, not get- 
ting full command of the animal, and presenting his back to 




FIG. 9. — DRENCHING AN OX. 

\is hind extremities, with M'hich an ox can strike effectually 
forwards. 

Sometimes the organs of SM'allowing are ])aralysed in cat- 
tle, as in cases of parturient apo])lexy ; at other times there 
are foreign substances imprtctcd in the gidlct. With the 



52 



General Principles of Veferinari/ Medicine. 



view of displacing the foreign object in the one instance, and 
of introducing medicines in the fluid state in the stomach 
under any emergency, a hollow probang may be used. The 
fluids may also be forced into tlie stomach by the pumping 
action of a syringe. 

The probang is guided through the centre of the moutJi 
by a gag. We give the drawing of two forms. Fig. 9 
is probably the best. 




VV,. 10. AX OX GAG. 

The advantage it has over the common gag is, that it is 
tied by a rope to the mouth, and then, in virtue of its shape, 
it is a more complete guide to the probang than the instru- 
ment represented at Fig. 10. The latter is the common 
gag, to be held in the animal's mouth by an assistant, whilst 
the operator uses the probang. 




FIG. 11. — AN ox GAG 



As the first stomach of ruminants is very capacious and 
lies flat against the left side of the belly, an expedient has 



Tlie Lse of Troc/ta/-i<. Oo 

been adopted of puncturing the stomacli to evacuate it, or 
to introduce into it medicinal agents. The stomach is punc- 
tured by trochars, such as arc represented by Figs. 12 and 12. 
The first lias a cylindrical canida and stild, the can iila being 
somewhat less than a third of an inch in diameter, and three 
and a-half inches in length. The one represented by Fig. 13 
is flattened, and the canula half-an-inch in its greatest width, 
and four and a-half inches in len2;th. 




A TKOCHAK 




A TKOCHAR. 



These trochars are used in the following manner : — A 
spot is chosen midway between the last rib and the lower 
part of the haunch bone, and about eight or nine inches below 
the bony knobs of the backbone of the cow; a small incision 
is made through the skin with a lancet or bistoury, and 
then the trochar is pushed with sufficient force and impulse 
at once to penetrate the walls of the belly and rumen. 



INJECTION OF FLUIDS INTO THE NOSE. 

Fluids are sometimes poured into the nose that they may 
be swallowed ; but usually the internal exhibition of reme- 
edics by the nose is effected by means of a stomach-pumj), 
with a long flexible tuble. The practice is an objectionable 
one, but may, under certain circumstances, be absolutely 
indispensable. 

The introduction of liquids int« the nostrils to exert a 



54 Gencr&d Prlaciples of Yeterlnarij Jledlcine. 

curative influence on its lining membrane is a more com- 
mon practice, and attended with much good. The old 
method of performing this operation is simply to use a 
syringe, or to elevate the head and j^our lotions, etc., into 
the nose. 

Professor Rey has adopted a very simple and satisfactory 
procedure. It consists in causing the fluid to rise in each 
nostril by atmospheric pressure, and when the one division 
of the nose is thus filled, the liquid passes over, and is seen 
to flow out at the opposite nostril. In this way the liquid, 
most eifectually touches every part of the membrane, and a 
mild solution of sulphate of zinc or copper, and other seda- 
tive, astringent, or antiseptic lotion, may bo brought in con- 
tact with the suppurating or ulcered surface. The instru- 
ment which Professor Rev employs for this purpose is drawn 
at Fig. 14. The long tube is fifteen inches in length, and 
one and a-half inches in diameter, expanding and funnel- 
shaped above, where the broadest part is two inches wide. 




FIG. 14.--TOBB FOR WASHING THE KOSTRlL§. 



The short arm is five inches in length, and tlie aperture two- 
thirds of an inch in diameter. Over the short arm is passed 
a closely-fitting leather ring, four and a-half inches in diam- 
eter. This serves as the surface over which, and round the 
short arm, wet to^^' may be adapted, so that, on introducing 
the small tube in the nostril, the latter is compressed care- 
fully on the tow; at the same time fluid is poured into 
the funnel, and rises in the nasal chamber. If the horse's 
head be bent in, and held as nmch as possible in a perpen- 



Giving Mcdicinvs by the iVo.sr. 55 

(licular })Osition, the lotion will ])ass out at the ojiposite nos- 
tril. We sometimes have a little difficulty in performing 
this maueuvre with awkward horses, but by quiet means 
they are soon accustomed to the operation. Some persons 
advocate twitching; occasionally the ear may be twitched; 
the animals sometimes require to be blindfolded, but at 
others it is best to let them see what is being done ; and most 
frequently not the slightest trouble attends the injection. It 
is an invaluable method of using remedies in the treatment 
of diseases of the nose. 

Fomentations are applied by wrapping the part to be 
treated in Hannel bandages or horse cloths, and keeping 
these wrappings constantly Met with the liquid cmj)loyed. 
This may be simple water, cold or hot, or mixed with vine- 
gar, laudanum, an antiseptic, or any otlier appropriate reme- 
dy. The wrap should be covered with a layer of rubber 
cloth or oil cloth to retain the moisture. For small surfo- 
ces, a sponge or a soft piece of rag, tow, lint or oakum is 
appropriate. 

They are usually applied to cleanse and soothe irritable 
Avounds ; to relieve external or superficial inflammation ; and 
to reduce internal inflammation as in pleurisy, pneumonia or 
acute kidney disease. In ordinary use they are apt to be 
withdrawn before they have done much good. To obtain 
their full benefits they should be continued several hours, 
fresh supplies of the liquid being added as often as the tem- 
l^erature of the cloths fall or they begin to dry. 

A very serviceable and convenient method of fomenting 
is to take a sheep-skiii with plenty of wool on it, wring it 
out in hot water and apply it to the part. After the opera- 
tion is finished, the parta should be rubbed dry and well 
clothed, in order to prevent the rapid fall of temperature 
and consequent chill, Mdiich otherwise is liable to Occur. As 



66 General Principles of Veterinary 3fedicine. 

a farther means of guarding against this, the fomented sur- 
faces may have a light dressing of mustard rubbed into them. 

Ointments arc j^repared by mixing the drug to be used 
with Lird, butter, or cerate, or what is f;xr better, the petro- 
leum product called petroleum ointment, cosmoline or 
vaseline. This substance never becomes rancitl, has no 
unpleasant odor, and by adding wax or parafine can be 
made of any desired thickness. Ointments are of especial 
use in diseases of the skin and hair, though as their ingre- 
dients can be absorbed by the skin, they are sometimes 
employed to introduce medicines into the system. 

Plasters are solid adhesive substances usually containing 
litharge, with resiu, wax, soap, tar or pitch. They are not 
A^ery useful in veterinary practice, and when employed it is 
usually in the form of charges. These are where the ingre- 
dients of the plaster are melted or poured directly on the 
skin. They are then covered with ravelled tow or lint, and 
confined by a linen or leathern bandage. In former times 
this was a popular practice with farriers, but has gone some- 
what out of date. 

Tliey are well adapted as a dressing to slow inflammations, 
particular of the joints, ligaments, tendons or feet. They are 
even more useful in joint affections in cattle than in horses, and 
sometimes benefit such cases when other means have failed. 
Tliey are, however, often difficult to apply and keep uj)on 
the part, and for this reason can generally be superseded by 
water dressings, lotions aud fomentations. 

WEIGHTS AXD MEASURES. 

The weights and measures used l)y veterinarians are the 
apothecaries' weight and wine measure. 



Wcujlifx (iiuJ JLasurcs. 57 

APOTHECARIEti' A\ EIGHT. 

60 grains =: 1 drachm. 

8 clraclims = 1 ounce. 
16 ounces = 1 pound. 

WIXE MEASURE. 

60 drops = 1 drachm. 

8 drachms = 1 ounce. 

16 ounces = 1 pint. 

8 pints = 1 gallon. 

For nearly all j^ractieal purposes, quantities of fluids may 
be measured in familiar domestic utensils to correspond to 
the above table, as follows; 

60 drops == 1 teaspoonful = 1 drachm. 

4 teaspoonfuls = 1 tablespooaful = |- ounce. 

2 tablespoonfuls = 1 ounce. 

1 wineglassful = 2 ounces. 

1 teacupful = 4 ounces. 

1 tumblerful ' = ^ pint. 

1 tincupful ' =1 pint. 

As a familiar manner of estimating weights in dry measure, 
"vve may say 

A handful of linseed, aniseed, etc. = 2 ounces. 

" dried leaves = 1 ounce. 

A hen's egg ;= 2 ounces. 

Three silver half-dollars = 1 ounce. 

By the use of these familiar standards, it will nearly 
always be practicable to obtain all the accui'acy needed in 
o-ivinp; medicine to the lower animals. 



58 General J^riiicljjfcs of ^\ierillary Medicine. 

CHAPTER IV. 

VHTERINARY SURGICAL, INHTRUilEXTS AXD MINOR 
SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 

The Yetei'inary Pocket Chse and its Contents — Preparations 
for Operating — Bleeding — Setons — Firing — Sutures — • 
Operations on the Teeth — Blistering. 

Every stock owner who would qualify himself to take 
proper care of the animals he possesses, should provide him- 
self M'ith a small pocket case of veterinary surgical instru- 
ments, which he should keep always sharp and clean, and 
use for their intended purpose, and no other. ^Vluit such a 
case should contain, and the uses of each instrument, we 
shall now explain. In doing so, we shall preface it with the 
remark that our endeavor will be to mention only the most 
important instruments, and those in the use of which any 
intelligent man can qualify himself by a very moderate 
practice on dead animals — a form of education Ave earnestly 
recommend. 

We have taken some pains to select, with the aid of the 
advice of practical men in this department, a "Stock Owner's 
Pocket Veterinary Case ", which is represented in the cut on 
the folloM'ing page. It contains nine diiferent instruments, 
sufficient in numl)er and variety for nearly all the lesser 
operations which an intelligent owner, not a professed sur- 
geon, would be called upon to perform. The instruments 
and their uses are as follows: 

1. A blunt pointed bistoury, slightly curved, for operations 
under the skin, in cavities, etc. 

2. A thumb lancet. This form is safer than the ordinary 
spring lancet, and much superior to the old-fash ionetl Jieam, 



Stock OvMicr'.s Pocket ]'(ieriii(iri/ ( '(t.sc. 



o9 




FIG. 15. — STOCK owner's POCKET VETERINARY CASE. 



The above cut represents a convenient pocket case of Morocco or Rus- 
sia leather, containing the instruments most essential in the performance 
of minor surgical operations on animals. The case is representee! unfol- 
ded, and the instruments are displayed in the following order, from above 
downwards : 

A blunt pointed bistourj'. 

A tiiumb lancet. 

A spring forceps. 

An aneurism needle. 

A silver probe. 

A frog knife. 

A curved scissors. 

A bistoury. 

A scton needle. 



60 General PrincipJe.H of Veteriiiwif Medicine. 

now almost obsolete. The exact depth and length of the 
cntcan best be judged by the ordinary thumb lancet. 

3. A pair of forceps, for dressing wounds, catching arteries 
for tying, removing foreign bodies, etc. 

4. A long blunt pointed needle, called an anenrismal 
needle, which can be used as a probe, and for small sctons, etc. 

5. A silver 2^ I'obe^ blunt at one end, sharp at the other for 
exploring wounds. 

6. A froff knife, having a narrow straight blade, curved 
into a strong sharp hook at the end; very useful in cleaning 
hoofs, etc. 

7. A pair of curved scissors, for trimming the edges of 
wounds, cutting hair, etc. 

8. A straight broad scalpel, for opening abscesses, cas- 
trating, etc. 

9. A seton needle, for introducing tapes, etc. In addition 
to these the case contains half a dozen surgical needles 
and thread, and two inside pockets for paper,etc. 

Such a set of instruments, made in the best manner and 
furnished in a neat and durable morocco case, should be 
bought for ten dollars ; and in order that they may be 
obtained of good quality and with little trouble, Ave have 
arranged with the publishers of this work that they shall 
supply them at the above price, when requested. 

PREPARATIONS FOR OPERATING. 

Fastening the Animal. — In jierforming operations on ani- 
mals, it is of the first importance, both for the safety of the 
operator and the successful achievement of his task, that the 
patient be firndy secured. 

Usually this can conveniently be done by " casting " or 
throwing the animal by means of a hobble attached to all 
four feet, Mdiich are then drawn ra})idly together In' assist- 



Aiucstlniics. 01 

ants, and the horse pushed over on his side. A single linil) 
can tlien be hjosened and held by a strap around the fetloek 
in the hands of a reliable man, while another sits on the 
horse's head. 

The arrangement called the " trevis " or " Ijreak " is a nar- 
row pen, six feet long and three wide, with stout corner posts 
and side rails on both sides and one end. The horse is led 
into it at the open end, which is then closed with a bar. His 
legs are fastened to each post by broad leather straps ; and he 
may be suspended to the side pieces by a stout band under 
the belly. In this position, with his head secured, he can 
neither bite nor kick. 

AnSBStheticS. — In most painful operations, when not about 
the mouth (where the flow of blood might strangulate an un- 
conscious animal), it is a humane procedure to chloroform the 
animal. Horses have generally to l)e cast before the inhala- 
tion can be affected. The chloroform should be poured on a 
spouge, a teaspoonful or two at a time, and held to the nos- 
trils, not, however, continuously, as the vapor of chloroform 
undiluted with atmospheric air is a fatal poison. The animal 
should be closely watched, and as soon as unconsciousness is 
produced the anaesthetic should be suspended, and renewed 
from time to time until the operation is complete. 

Nausea and depression continue usually for some hours 
afterwards. Should the pulse fail, and the respiration grow 
shallow and irregular, buckets of cold water must be dashed 
on the body, and artifitial respiration be continued for a time 
by blowing gently with a pair of bellows into the mouth or 
nostrils, and alternately pressing ui:)on and releasing the ribs, 
thus imitating the natural acts of respiration. Pieces of ice 
inserted into the rectum or vagina act also as powerful restor- 
atives. 

Many practitioners use the chloroform pure, and thus em- 



62 General Principles of Veterinartj 3Iediclne. 

ployed its effects are more rapid ; bat they are also more dan- 
gerous. For that reason we reconnnend tlie following anies- 
thetic mixture in preference, which comes endorsed by high 
authority after extensive employment : 

Xo. 12. Alcoliol, 1 oz. 

Chloroform, 2 oz. 

Ether, 3 oz. 
Shake the bottle well on using it. 

This will be found effective with all sorts of animals, and 
requires but two or three minutes to overpower with safety 
the struggles of the strongest horse or ox. 

BLEEDING. 

So much has been said of late years on the abuse of 
bleeding, that we might su})pose that sound ideas on the 
subject had penetrated as far as the brain of the ordinary 
farrier. But we have strong grounds for the belief that 
tliis is not the case, and throughotit the States it is a vei^ 
common practice to bleed in disetises of stock far more than 
there is any reason or safety in doing. 

There are cases where prompt and bold bleeding is l)y 
common consent the only chance for life, as we shall see in 
the later pages of this book, so the lancet should still be in 
every veterinary case, ready for immediate use. 

In the horse and ox, the jugular vein, which runs promi- 
nently up the side of the neck, is the one usually chosen 
from which to draw blood. The blood-vessels of the palate 
or roof of the mouth are chosen by some, especially in 
staggers and brain diseases. If the jugular is j^resscd ujxjn 
by the finger, a little below the spot selec^ted for the incision, 
it will in a few moments become distended and prominent. 
The horse shoidd be blindfolded and a tluunb lancet used. 



Blccdivij. 63 

Tlie quantity of blooil taken depends upon tlie object in 
view, but to make any decided impression on an adult 
animal of either species, at least six or seven quarts should 
be drawn. 

When the flow has ceased' the two lips of the wound are 
i-aised between ilie fingers, a small common pin run through 
them and some tliread twisted across and over it, to keej) it 
in place. 

In the sheej), bleeding from the jugular vein is also most 
efficient. But some veterinarians prefer the angular or 
cheek vein. This is to be found in the cheek, at a spot equi- 
distant from the eye and the mouth, just beloAV the bony 
tubercle \\hich marks the insertion of the fourth tootli into 
the upper jaw. The incision should he made from below 
upwards, half an inch below the middle of the tubercle. 
Others again prefer the eye vein. To divide this the 
point of a knife is inserted near the lower extremity of the 
pouch below the eye; tlie point is pressed downward and a 
cut made inward toward the middle of the face. 

In swine, bleeding is usually performed in an otl-hand 
way, by cutting off the end of the ear or the lail. Pigs 
are such unmanageable patients, that it is both difficult and 
dangerous to attempt refinements of treatment with them. 
When practicable, however, it is neater to turn the ear back 
and by pressing firmly on its base with the thumb, to bring 
into prominence some of the veins, which may then be cut 
across. Or a cord can be tied tightly around the fore leg 
above the knee, when the brachial vein will be seen to fill 
u]), and can readily be lanced. This vein is on the inside of 
the leg, and should be opened about an inch above the knee. 



SETOXS. 



These are tapes, fine wires or threads, which are passed 
underneath tlie skin, entering at one point and emerging at 



04 (Jencra/ Principles of Yeterinanj Jledicinc. 

juiother, the ends knotted together to prevent dropping out. 
Tliey are usnallj smeared with an irritant salve^ and turned 
every day or two; so as to keep up a constant irritation and 
diseliarge from the part. The seton needle used for their in- 
troduction is about six inches long. 

They act very satisfactorily in some cases of bone disease, 
but where the lameness is owing to strained sinews or liga- 
ments they are out of place, as tliey leave additional thicken- 
ing. They are also valuable in healing old fistulas, being 
inserted the whole length of the canal, and setting up a new 
and healthy inflammation in its sides. As appropriate oint- 
ments, the following are recommended for smearing the seton : 

Ko. 13. Powdered oantlmrides, 1 part. 

( )il of turpentine, 

Canada Balsam, of each, 8 parts. 

Digest tiie cantliarides and turpentine together and add the balsam. 

No. 14. Powdered white hellebore, 1 part. 

Lard, 8 parts. 

Mix at a gentle heat. 

No. 15. Citrine ointment, 3 parts. 

Oil of turpentine, 1 part. 

Mix. 
Or either of the ingredients in this last formula alone Avill 
answer very well. 

FIRING. 

The hot iron or tlie actual cautery is a very useful agent in 
veterinar}' ])ractice, and should not be disj^ensed with or con- 
demned on mistaken notions of tenderness. In certain dis- 
eases it cannot be successfully rej^laced by any other form of 
counter irritation. It must of course be used with discretion, 
but any one Avith experience must have seen it remove pain 
very rapidly when blisters, etc., have failed to do so. In 
bone diseases and in many cases of chronic lameness, it is of 
great benefit. 



Firing. 



Go 



The iron f^houUl be used at a full red or white heat, aiul 
the part touched as lightly as possible, so that a distinet im- 
pression is made. More than one leg should not be fired at * 
one time. 

Various forms of cauteries or " firing irons " are used. 
Those with a narrow edge, about as thick as a dime, so that 
the firing may be performed in parallel lines across the 
limbs are preferable, as leaving the least blemish. The same 
may be said in favor of Prof. Williams' iron for " pyro-punc- 
ture," which leaves hardl}^ any blemish, and makes a deep 
impression on the structure. It is represented in the follow- 
ing engraving : — 



FUi, 10.- 



WILI^IAMS' IKUN FOR " P YRO-PUh'CTUi; i:. 



As in blistering, the hair should be closely shaved before 
the iron is applied ; and the operator is wise to convince him- 
self that the animal is securely fastened before the procedure 
begins. 

On the day after the firing, the part should be smeared 
with neat's foot or other bland oil, and this repeated daily 
until the swelling subsides. A f-cut of several months is ad- 
vised after the operation, as if the animal is put to work too 
soon the disease will most probably return, and the pain have 
been needless. 

A method of firing is adopted by some veterinarians whicJi 
obviates the objections made to the process, and is often very 
effective. It is based on the fact that the boiling point of 
fat is about three times that of boiling watci-, and that by 
applying boiling fat to the part at a temperature of say 600° 

5 



66 



(Jciicral Prbiciplcs of Veteiinary Medicine. 



Fahrenheit, a powerful impression is made on the vessels 
without blemishing. 

A flat or slightly hollowed iron is heated to a dull red 
heat. A piece of bacon rind with a little of the fat attached 
to it, is then placed on the spavin or tumor which is to be dis- 
persed. The iron is then applied upon the bacon rind, and 
firmly held there for the space of two or three minutes, and 
afterwards more lightly applied, until the rind is dried or 
burned. This may be repeated several times at intervals of 
two or three days, and it will be found to exercise a potent, 
stimulating influence, and leave no scar. 



SUTURES OR STITCHES. 

When the edges of a wound or incision are properly 
cleansed and the bleeding checked, they are brought together 
and maintained in their proper and natural position by stitches 
or sutures. Of these there are two varieties which are prin- 
cipally used in domestic veterinary surgery. They are known 
as the " interrupted suture " and the " twisted suture." 

1. The interrupted suture is one in which the needle is 
carried through the two edges of the wound, and the thread 



via. 17. — THE INTERKUPTED SUTURE. 

then cut, leaving an end about tlirce inches long on each side 
iif the cut. These are then brought together and tied, and 
the ends cut off close to the Avound, as illustrated in Fig. 17. 



7\.7;«/.->- of Sutures. G7 

2. In the twisted suture a needle is not used, but a strong 
pin is run through eacli edge of the cut, and a thread or fine 
wire is twisted across the two protruding ends of the pin, so 
that the edges of the wound are firnilv lield in place ; as seen 
in FiiT. 18, 




FIO. 18.— THK TWISTKU SUTUKE. 



After a wound is closed with sutures, it should be dressed 
with a plaster, ointment or a bandage, so as to prevent the 
thread or pins from tearing out ; and it is proper to remove 
them in four or five days, to prevent blemishing. 



OPERATIONS ox THE TEETH. 

The teeth of horses require frequent attention at the 
hands of the veterinarian or of the owner, if he would keep 
his animals in good condition. 

If the lower incisors become so long as to bruise, or 
otherwise injure the bars or roof of tlic nioutli, they must 
be shortened with a rasp. 

The same instrument is required when it is found that 
owing to the greater width of the upper row of the niolars, 
a ridge of unworn tooth material is presented on the outer 
aspect of the upper, and on the inner side of the lower 
teeth, leading the horse to wound his tongue in masticating, 
and to orind his food. 



G8 General Principles of Veterinary Medicine. 

If throiioh irregularitv of the teetli some become more 
prominent tlian others, they must be filed down ; and as 
always when a tooth in one jaw is lost, its fellow in the 
other jaw tends to grow too long, the rasp is required to file 
it baelv from time to time. 

Extraction of the teeth is required in case of decay. This 
change is confined to the grinders or molar teeth. The first, 
second, and third molars may be withdrawn by the forceps; 
but the fourth, fifth, and sixth have to be removed by 
" punching" after trephining the gum. The operation is as 
folloAvs, and can easily be learned by a little practice on the 
dead animal : 

Cast the horse and trephine the gum so as to make the 
opening to correspond to the fang of the diseased tooth, 
allowing sufiicient space above or below the diseased fang — 
above, if the operation be in the upper, beloiv, if it be on the 
bottom jaw — for the introduction of the punch. The punch 
should be at least an inch in circumference at its point, that 
it may not cut or split the tooth. 

Two or three smart but not heavy blows with the hammer 
will be sufficient to loosen the tooth ; and it may then be re- 
moved with the forceps or the hand. The cavity should be 
"washed out with a solution of alum, or some carbolic acid 
water. The cavity will in a few weeks close over. 

BLISTERING. 

The application of a blister is a part of the routine treat- 
ment of the common veterinarian whenever he suspects in- 
ternal inflammation. It is a pernicious and discreditable prac- 
tice. Blisters usually do no good whatever in deep seated 
inflammations, and they not only leave a blemish sloAvto dis- 
appear, but they cause the animal a great deal of severe pain 
and have often brought on strangling and irritation of the 
bladder. 



i 



Directions for JJfi>!itrinr/. 69 

Blisters should be confined to cases where the acute, in- 
flannuatory symptoms have passed away, and ^\■here it is de- 
sired to cause the absorption of some deposit, or to stimulate 
the vessels to effect some organic change, as to hasten the 
opening of an abscess, or the reduction of an enlarged gland. 

Before a blister is applied the hair should be cut from the 
part, which should then be washed and dried, and the blister- 
ing fluid applied with smart friction for several minutes. 
The blistering ointment preferred by the Edinburgh Veteri- 
nary College is the following : 

No. IG. Powdered cantharideSj 1 part. 

Lard Leated to 212°, 12 parts. 

^lix well together and cool. 

At this strength, the ointment if thoroughly applied will 
raise a good blister and wall never blemish. 

Most of the ointments are very much stronger than this. 
That recommended by Mr. Youatt was, 

No. 17. Powdered cantharides, 

Powdered resin, each 1 oz. 

Lard, 4 oz. 

Melt the lard and resin together and stir in tlic flies. 

Another of medium strength is. 

No. IS. Powdered cantharides, 1 oz. 

Lard or oil, 6 oz. 

Melt together. 

The addition of turpentine, sulphuric acid, arsenic, corro- 
sive sublimate and the like, should be avoided. They serve 
no useful purpose, and merely increase the pain needlessly. 

Blistering plasters are not used in veterinary surgery, but 
thez-e are preparations called ''sweating blisters" popular 



70 General Priaciples of Veterinary Medicine, 

with some. They are of strong tincture of cantharides made 
as folloAvs: 

Ko. 19. Powdered flies, 1 oa. 

Alcohol, 1 pint. 

Steep for two weeks. ^ 

This is of medium strength, and can bo increased in its 
action by adding a few ounces of solution of ammonia or oil 
of turpentine. These tinctures rarely raise a full blister, 
but cause cousiderble irritation and a watery discharge. In 
using them it is not essential that the hair be removed; and 
they may be applied repeatedly to \\\q same spot without 
blemishing. 

Blisters are not much used on cattle, as on them sufficient 
irritation can generally be produced by mustard and hot 
water, well rubbed in. 

A blister while rising causes much irritation, and the 
animal will always try to rub or bite the blistered part. In 
the horse this should be prevented by tying the head to the 
rack, or tying up the tail. On the second day after it has 
been applied, the part should be fomented wath warm water, 
and dressed with lard, oil or any simple ointment. 

Sometimes it is desirable to maintain the effect of the 
blister for some time. This is to be accomplished by dress- 
ing the part with sonic more of the blistering ointment 
diluted to one-half or one-fourth its strength with lard or 
oil. 

The following general rules should be observed : 

1. Do not blister more than two spots at one time. 

2. Do not blister much in hot weather. 

3. Always be on your guard against producing strangury, 
which is easily brought on in some horses. 

4. Never blister a highly inflamed part, nor where there 
are signs of erysipelas or mortification. 



Signs and Si/mptomfi of JJist'<tf<c. 7 1 

If the blister causes excessive nervous irrita])ility, loss of 
appetite, or difficulty in watering, wash the bllsterecl surface 
with warm water containing soft soap; dress it MJth sweet 
oil ; and give the animal a full dose of opium. 

ROWELS OR ISSUES. 

A rowel or iigsue consists in a Avound made in the skin 
with a bistoury or rowel scissors, and kept open by a pledget 
of tow, lint, or leather, which to increase the counter irrita- 
tion and discharge, is sometimes smeared with irritant dress- 
ing. Its actions are similar to that of a seton. The more 
cultivated veterinary surgeons employ rowels much less than 
their predecessors ; indeed, it may be said that they are a 
form of counter irritation which is passing out of fashion, 
and justly so. They will be rarely recommended in the 
present work. 



CHAPTER V. 

GENERAL RULES FOR RECOGNISING AND DISTINGUISHING 

DISEASES. 

The Pulse — The Breathing — The Animal Heat — The Skin 
and Hair — The Posture — Indications of Pain — Special 
Signs in Cattle — Signs of Diseases of Particular Organs. 

Any one who would become expert in recognizing diseasas 
in animals, must study them carefully in the healthy state, 
and make himself thoroughly familiar with their habits, 
appearance and general physiology. He must practice feel- 
ing their pulse and the heart, Usteiiing to the sounds of their 



72 General Principles of Veterinari/ 3Iedicine. 

lungs in Ijreathing, and taking their temperature, by feeling 
the skin and also by using a properly constructed ther- 
mometer. He should watch the appeai^ances of the eye and 
tongue, and note the positions assumed when asleep and 
awake. He should observe the character and frequency of 
the discharges of the bowels and bladder, and the eagerness 
of their appetite. For it is in the variations from health in 
these particulars, that the veterinarian discovers the guides 
which lead him to the recognition of the particular disease 
he has to treat. We shall examine each of these items 
separately, and assure our readers that if they will verify 
our statements by practice on the living animals, they will 
soon be in a position to take charge of them when sick^ 
quite as well and often a great deal better than the average 
farrier, as he is to be found in this country. 

THE PULSE. 

The Pulse diifers very much in the domestic animals. 
In the full grown horse at rest, its beats are about 40 per 
minute; in the ox, from 50 to 55; and in the sheep and 
pig, about as in man, that is, averaging 70 to 80 beats in the 
minute. lu calves and colts, and in animals wxll advanced 
in years, the pulse increases in health, to about twice these 
figures; and it is also increased by hot, close stables, full 
feeding, and the condition of pregnancy. 

The pulse may be felt Mdierever a considerable artery 
passes over a bone. It is usually examined in the horse on 
the cord which runs across the bone of the lower jaw, just in 
front of its curved portion; or on the bony ridge Avhich 
extends upward from the eye; or inside the elbow. In 
cattle, it is conveniently reached over the middle of the first 
rib, or beneath the tail. There is a marked diiference of 
force in the pulse of the two sjiecies; that of the horse being 



Tlie Puhe and Breailibu/. 73 

full and rather tense, while in the ox, it is soft and rolling^. 

AVHien the pulse differs materially from these conditions 
in any direction, it is a sign of disease. If rapid, full and 
hard, there is high fever or acute inflammation; if rapid, 
small and weak, there is low fever, loss of blood or weak- 
ness. If very slow, we may suspect brain disease ; if 
irregular, now fast and in a few seconds slow, we should 
look for a diseased condition of the heart. 

In the sheep, the pulse is felt by placing the hand on the 
left side, where the beatings of the heart can be felt; or at 
about the middle of the inside of the thigh, where the 
femoral artery passes obliquely across the bone. 

THE BREATHING. 

The Breathing is next in importance. If the car is ap- 

})lied to the throat of a healthy horse or ox, the air \\\\\ be 
heard passing through the windpipe with a regular, steady 
blowing sound; if applied to the chest, a soft rustling mur- 
mur will be heard, like a gentle breeze in the tree tops, 
caused by the air passing in and out of the fine tubes and 
vessels of the lungs. But wdiere the lung or throat is 
diseased, these sounds are very much changed and in many 
directions, which it is not necessary to dwell on here, but 
which wall at once indicate the presence of something amiss 
with these important organs. 

If the fore finger of the left hand is placed firmly on the 
chest and smartly tapped with the ends of the three first 
fingers of the right hand, the sound will be noticed to be 
much more resonant and clear than when the same procedure 
is practiced on the solid thigh. This is because the lungs 
are not solid, but are always in health well expanded with 
air. But in various diseases, as pneumonia and pleurisy, 
they fill up with fluid and become s<jlid, and then the sound 



74 Genera/ Principles of Yetefinarji Medicine. 

given out, by thus perGussiiig theiu as it is called, is like that 
on any other solid part of the animals. Hence this is an- 
other very important indication of disease. 

By practice on healthy animals, the character and boundaries 
of these sounds can be learned so closely, that any variation 
from them m- i 11 be at once detected, and will'Bometimcs reveal the 
presence of an unsound condition, M'hen no other moans will. 

The rapidity with which the act of breathing is performed 
can easily be counted by the heaving of the chest. In health, 
in the adult horse at rest, it is from eight to twelve times a 
minute, and in the ox a little faster. Any great increase, 
without obvious cause, is a positive sign of a diseased con- 
dition. 

THE ANUrAL HEAT. 

The temperature of animals can be ascertained, to a slight 
extent, by the feel of the skin, the ears, and the legs. A 
hot, dry skin in a horse generally accompanies a feverish 
condition. Cold ears and legs are a sign of serious disease. 
But the only scientific, that is, accurate j)lan, is to use what is 
called a " clinical thermometer," that is, one, the bull) of 
which can be bared and inserted into the rectum. After it 
has remained there two or three minutes, the mercury \\ill 
accurately indicate the temperature of the blood. This in 
health is 98°, and any deviation from this, even of a ^ay^'^ 
deo;rees, is a cei'tain sio-n of disease. Those veterinarians 
who have practiced sufficiently with this instrument to become 
skilled in its use, declare it invaluable in their business^, as 
alfording them grounds for opinions about diseases which no 
other symptoms could. 

Thus it has been found that every disease has its own 
degree, a temperature at which it is either favorable or fatal. 
For example, if in that sometimes prevalent epidemic among 
horses, cerebro-spinal meningitis, the thermometer rises as high 



Symptoms of Disease. 75 

as 104°, it is a certain indication that tlie horse will shortly 
die : while in snch a disease as inflammation of the lungs 
the mercury will register 108° or 109°, and the horse recover. 
If in gastric or typhoid fever the heat has been 103°, and 
falls to 100°, and then suddenly rises again to its i)revious 
figure, the chances are terribly against the patient, no matter 
what the other appearances may seem to say. These few ex- 
amples will serve to show how valuable the instrument may 
become in the hands of an intelligent person. 

THE SKIX AND HAIR. 

The skin in its general feeling and appearance is an im- 
portant guide to the condition of an animal. A dry, scurfy 
appearance is a symptom of indigestion, and liability to joint 
affections. What is called " hide-bound " is a symptom of a 
general state of poor nutrition, arising from indigestion, im- 
proper food, worms, or a Mant of proper exercise. The 
skin feels stretched and hard, as if too small for the body. 
The condition known as "staring coat," when the liairs stand 
out like bristles, is often the only symptom of a low state 
of health. Whenever an animal is disposed to shiver, with 
shedding of the coat, when exposed to moderate cold, or with- 
out such exposure, it is on the edge of some disease. A per- 
sistently staring coat, without other symptoms of disease, 
often indicates the approach of an attack of farcy or glanders, 
and when with this are repeated shivers or chills, avc may 
expect the strangles, weed, or other diseases with suppura- 
tion. When in an attack of disease the skin becomes covered 
with a cold sweat, the life of the animal is in great danger. 

THE POSTURE. 

The position of an animal, its mode of standing and lying^ 
down, are all significant. Lying persistently on one side, or 



76 (lew-raJ PriiicijJi.s of Vderiiiarij Medicine. 

obstinately inaintuining one })o.sition, shows that any other is 
jDainfiil. Horses stand as long as they possibly can, as they 
breathe much easier in the upright position, and if tliey once 
lie down, they soon despair and die. Hence the rule is M'ith 
a horse to sling him up, in almost all ailments. With 
cattle it is different, and it is much less important to keep 
them erect. When animals cannot rise, it may be from \veak- 
ness, or from palsied limbs, or from severe injuries or sprains. 

INDICATIOXS OF PAIN. 

The feeling of pain in animals is indicated by their flinch- 
ing when the painful part is touched ; by the care which 
they take in lying down, walking or standing to " favor" the 
part, and by the appem^ance of the eye. Distress and suffer- 
ing are generally plainly apparent in the faces of sick horses 
and cattle. 

SPECIAL SIGNS IN CATTLE. 

In cattle the Ixorn at its root yields by the sensation it im- 
parts to the hand a rough idea of the temperature of the 
blood, and the cowleech generally feels it as the doctor does 
the pulse, as a part of the indispensable iwogiammc of a })ro- 
fessional visit. If tlie temperature is natural, he concludes 
there is no fever ; if cold, and the tips of the ears also cold, 
it is a sign of some serious internal congestion, the blood no 
longer circulating in natural force through the extremities. 

The muzzle is another part he takes note of. In health 
this is moist, covered with "dew," as the saying is; but in 
disease, especially fever, it is dry, hotter or colder than nat- 
ural, and sometimes changed in color, paler or injected with 
blood. By looking at the flanks, the regularity of the res- 
piration is noted, rapid and irregular heaving there betraying 
the disturbance of the important I'unction of breatliing. In 



fSijtiipfoiiis of JJiseases. 77 

ruminants also, tlie second mastication of tlie food is among 
tlic first of the vital jn'ocesses to become disturbed in disease. 
When a cow or an ox " loses the cud," as it is called by herd- 
men, that is, ceases to ruminate without apparent cause, 
there is sure to be a feeling of sickness about the animal 
which is thus interfering with one of its processes of diges- 
tion. 

THE .SIGNS OF DISEASES OF PARTICULAR ORGANS. 

There are various plans of classifying diseases, but the one 
most practically useful is to arrange them with reference to 
the main organs affected, because by following this plan they 
are most easily recognized. Hence we have " Local Dis- 
eases " that are principally located in one or another part of 
the body, and " General Diseases," which affect all of it. 
But it must not be forgotten that local diseases, as they in- 
crease in severity, generally involve the whole system more 
or less ; and that general diseases may have local signs. 

By a careful study of what follows, the reader will be able 
generally to determine with accuracy the seat of disease. 

L jcal diseases include 

1 . Diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. 

2. Diseases of the breathing organs (windpipe and lungs). 

3. Diseases of the digestive organs (mouth, throat, stom- 
ach, bowels). 

4. Diseases of the heart and blood-vessels. 

5. Diseases of the kidneys, bladder and sex organs. 

The prominent signs by which they can be recognized are as 
follows : — 

1 . Signs of Diseases of the Brain, Spinal Cord and Nerves. 

When there is umisual dullness and sleepiness, or their 
opposite, wakefulness and wildness, brain disease may be sus- 



78 (rc'iic/xU Prlticlplcs of W'ter'nuirii 3Iedi(iine. 

pected. Palsy, spasms and convulsions point in the same 
direction. A prominent and swollen condition of both eyes 
occurs in congestion of the brain ; and a projection of the 
haw (the winking membrane of the eye) is a sure sign of 
lockjaw. Snoring or stertorous breathing is a pretty sure 
symptom of brain disease. 

2. Signs of Diseases of the Breaihing Organs. 

Here cough is the most important symptom. It is moist 
in catarrh, colds, and other diseases where there is a discharge 
from the lining membranes of the air passages ; and dry in 
the first stages of colds, in pleurisy, broken wind, roaring, 
and when, as occasionally happens, it does not depend on dis- 
ease of the breathing organs, but is, as it is called, sympathetic 
of other complaints, especially indigestion^ worms, and liver 
disease. 

Rapid, irregular, or difficult breathing is present in most 
aifections of the lungs ; and when the motion of breathing is 
more visible than usual in the belly, it is a iign that the act 
is painful, as in pleurisy and rheumatism of the walls of the 
chest. 

Running from the nose and mouth is generally associated 
with this class of complaints. 

3. Signs of Diseases of the Digestive Organs. 

When the appetite is much greater than natural, it is 
usually a sign of worms, or irritation of the stomach. In 
diarrhoea, the discharges from the bowels are frequent and 
watery; in constipation, infrequent, dry and hard. When 
an animal passes blood, it is generally from dysentery, piles, 
ulcers in the bowels, or a rupture. Swelling of the belly, 
unusual discharges of wind, and fits of giddiness, are common 
in colic and indigestion. 



Si/niptoms of Diseases. 79 

4. Si(/ns of Diseases of the Heart. 

Tliese are indicated by violent eonvulsive beating of the 
heart, easily perceived by the hand placed behind tlie left 
elbow; by a jerking, intermittent, unequal and irregular 
pulse; by habitually cold ears and legs; by swelling of the 
legs and the belly ; by difficult breathing, much increased 
by slight exertion; and by general sluggishness and a ten- 
dency to lay on fat. If on carefully listening to the sound 
of the heart, it is found to give forth sounds different from 
those usual in healthy animals (with which, as Ave have said, 
the student must make himself thoroughly fomiliar), then 
there need be no further hesitation in pronouncing the ])re- 
sence of heart disease. 

5. ^'njns of Diseases of the Kidneys, Bkidrler and Sex Organs. 

Pi-ofuse staleing., usually accompanied with excessive thirst, 
is a symptom of diabetes, a very serious disease. Bloody 
urine, "red water", and ''black water", may signify a 
mechanical injury to the bladder, inflammation of the kid- 
neys, kidney worms, stone in the bladder, or in cattle, one 
of those very dangerous diseases called murrains. When 
the urine cannot be passed, it ma}' be from a stone or a stric- 
ture; it also occurs in spkial meningitis in horses. 

Carrying and bearing the young, and the various diseases 
to which the female is liable, at and after this period, are all 
of obvious symptoms. -This class of maladies has a pecu- 
liar importance to the stock breeder, as it has been again and 
again demonstrated that the higher the breed and the more 
refined the i^blood — that is, the more costly the animal — the 
more is it liable to numerous and grave interferences with 
these acts of reproduction. 



PART 11. 



The Diseases of the Horse. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 

Of all the domesticated animals, the horse is the one 
whose diseases have received the closest study. Until the 
present century he might justly have been considered the 
most really valuable of the lower species. With our im- 
proved modes of locomotion this is hardly now the case, and 
the high esteem in which he is yet held arises largely from 
tradition, the competition of traders and the love of display, 
rather than his intrinsic worth to man. 

As he is most highly prized for the qualities of grace and 
speed in motion, especial attention has been long paid to the 
prevention and removal of whatever would impair those 
powers ; and hence we shall have to consider a long list of 
lamenesses in the liorse, which deteriorate his value exceed- 
ingly, while in other animals they are of little or no import- 
ance whatever. This list is longer on account of the struc- 
ture of the horse's leg and foot, which in delicacy and com- 
plexity stands unsurpassed and probably unrivalled among 
the wondrous exhibits of comparative anatomy. 

Another reason for our increased acquaintance with equine 
diseases is that, as the horse, in this country at least, is not 
fed for the table, there is no economy in knockinar him in the 



82 Diseases of the Tlorfie. 

head the moment lie shows signs of disease, as vre observe 
various writers on cattle, sheep and swine recommend in re- 
ference to tliose animals. A dead horse is proverbially of the 
least possible use. Hence the owner will naturally spare no 
reasonable pains to keej) him alive, as a lame or a sick horse 
is better than no horse at all. 

The equine species, in which we include the mule and the 
ass, differs remarkably from the other herbivorous animals 
we shall consider, in having but one stomach. The tract of 
the bowels is enormous ; if spread out, it is estimated they 
would cover ninety square feet. Like all the horbivora, he 
responds very slowly to certain medicines. He never vomits, 
so emetics are useless ; and many purges act on him slowly 
and irregularly. Saline purges, for instance, as Epsom and 
Glauber salts, are quite unsuitable, sometimes appearing in- 
ert, or again acting so violently that they produce inflamma- 
tion and exhaustion. For this purpose, aloes, especially 
Barbadocs aloes, on account of their cheapness, are preferred. 
These, if properly administered, will act in eight or ten hours. 
Senna, colocynth, buckthorn and other cathartics of value in 
man have scarcely any such effect on horses. 

This species is more subject to high inflammatory diseases 
than the other three which we shall treat. Fevers and mala- 
dies of a low, typhoid type are comparatively rare in the 
horse. He is moreover of a courageous, enduring disposition, 
and will not yield to the attacks of disease as readily as an 
ox or sheep. Nevertheless, the treatment by bleeding, active 
purges, tartar emetic and calomel, heretofore promiscuously 
practised on him, is by no means to be commended ; it be- 
longs to a past age, and only lingers under the favor of 
ignorance and prejudice. Not many traces of it will be found 
in the following pages, as what we have to pi-esent is not a 
rechauffe of antiquated opinions. 



General Hemarks. 83 



Note. — In treating the diseases of Horses, we shall at the 
same time describe those which are common to both Horses, 
Mules aiul Cattle ; thus avoiding a useless repetition which 
would be otherwise necessary when we come to treat of Dis- 
eases of Cattle. Many complaints are substantially identical, 
both in symptoms and treatment, in the two species. 



On the following two pages we have placed in contrast 
the external and the internal anatomy of the horse. A care- 
ful study of these diagrams will be found of considerable 
importance in understanding the descriptions of diseases 
which will be contained in the pages that follow. The 
popular names applied to the external forms of the horse are 
of especial interest to every one who owns such an animal, 
and they should be made familiar by reference to the living 
subject. 



84 



Diseases of the Hovkc. 






FIG. 


1 9. — EXTERNAL 


ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 


1. 


Muzzle. 




23. 


Kibs. 


2. 


Nostril. 




24, 


24. Girth. 


3. 


Forehead.' 




25. 


Loins. 


4. 


Jaw. 




26. 


Croup. 


5. 


Poll. 




27. 


Hip. 


(>. 


Crest. 




28. 


Flank. 


7. 


Windpipe. 




29. 


The sheath. 


8. 


Shoulderblade. 


30. 


The root of the tail. 


9. 


Point of Shoulder. 


31. 


The hip joint. 


](). 


Breast. 




32. 


The stifle joint. 


11. 


Arm. 




33. 


Lower thigh. 


12. 


Elbow. 




34. 


The quarters. 


13. 


Forearm. 




35. 


The hock. 


U. 


Knee. 




3(1. 


The point of the hock. 


15. 


Cannon hone. 


37. 


The curb place. 


IG. 


Back sinew 




38. 


The cannon bone. 


17. 


Fetlock, or 


pastern joint. 


39. 


Back sinew. 


18. 


Coronet. 




40. 


Fetlock, or pastern joint 


19. 


Hoof. 




41. 


Coronet. 


20. 


Heel. 




42. 


Hoof. 


21. 


Withers. 




43. 


Heel. 


22. 


Back. 




44. 


Spavin place. 



Internal Anatomy of the Jlome. 




FIG. 20. — INTERNAL ANATOMY OF THK HOKSB. 



1. 


The poll or occiput. 


2. 


The lesser hrain, cerebellum. 


3. 


The greater brain, cerebrum. 


4. 


The membranes of the nostrils. 


5. 


The tongue. 


6. 


The bones of tlie neck. 




7. The spinal cord, / 


8. 


The throat, or pharynx. 


9, 


9. The gullet, or oesophagus. 


10. 


Entrance of the gullet into the stomach 


11. 


Exit from the stomach into the bowels. 


12. 


The surface of the diaphragm. 


13. 


'The windpipe. 


14. 


The lungs. 


15. 


The heart. 


a. 


The stomach. 


b. 


The spleen. 


c. 


The kidney. 


d. 


One side of the womb. 


e. 


The rectum, or lower bowel, 


/■ 


The anus. 


ff, 


/(, i, k, I. The muscles of the thigh. 



Diseases of the Horse. 87 

CHAPTER I. 

DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 

Congestion and Inflammation of the Brain — Phrenitis — Mad, 

Blind or Sleepy Staggers. 
Cerebrospinal lleningitis. 
Convulsive Diseases or Fits — Apoplexy — Epilepsy — Falling 

Sickness — St. Vitus' Dance or Stringhali. 
Megrhns — Vertigo — Giddiness. 
Sunstroke. 
Paralysis or Palsy. 
Tetanus or Lockjaw. 
Hydrophobia. 

CONGESTION AND INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN— PHEENITIS— 
MAD, BJ-IND OR SLEEPY STAGGERS. 

Definition. — A congestion or over fullness of tlie l^lood- 
vessels of the brain and its envelopes, passing into inflamma- 
tion, accompanied with marked eifects on the animal's mental 
condition. 

Causes.— Exposure to the heat of the sun, blows on the 
hejid, suppression of urine, poisoning of various kinds, tumors 
in the brain, over driving in fat animals, feeding on distillery 
slops, the pressure of a tight collar and overloading the 
stomach. 

Symptoms.— The most common form of the disease, both 
in horses and cattle, is that called stomach staggers or sleepy 
staggers. The animal at first is dull, listless and drowsy. 
The breathing is generally slower, and more or lesssnormg; 
the pulse also is slower, in'the horse from 26 to 30 beats a 
minute. In walking the animal staggers and seems about to 
fall . If suddenly disturbed, it looks around excitedly, shivers 



88 I)is('a.ses of the Horse. 

and seems friglitened. It now and then thrusts its head 
ao:ainst.tlie wall of the stable, or rears and elevates its nose 
in the rack. The eyes are bloodshot and yellowish. As the 
disease adv'^ances, the feet and ears become hot and then cold 
by turns ; the eyes are fixed ; violent convulsions come on ; 
the animal totters and sometimes falls ; the sio-lit is lost and 
the head is struck against anything that comes in the way. 
Sometimes the tongue lolls out of the mouth, or there is spasm 
of the muscles of the face, or general palsy. 

The bowels are usually costive, the water scanty and high 
colored, and the frenzy in fits of greater or less severity. 

Treatment. — In the early stages, if the pulse is full and 
slow, four to six quarts of blood should be at once drawn 
from the jugular vein from a large oj)ening. But if the pulse 
is feeble and quick, no blood should be taken. 

In all cases, give at once a smart purge. 

No. 20. Powdered aloes, 6 draclims. 

Calomel, 1 drachm. 

This amount to a horse. 

No. 21. Sulphate of magnesia, 20 oz. 

Croton beans, 15 oz. 

Mix and give to an ox or cow. • 

The animal should be kept as quiet as possible in a darkened 
stable, and have plenty of water, but no food, and the head 
should be often bathed with ice water. If the ])urge does 
not act thoroughly, repeat it on the second or third day. 

When ice water is not at hand, the following cooling lotion 
will supply its place: — 

No. 22. Common salt^ 

Saltpetre, 

Sal ammoniac, each 4 oz. 

Mix in a gallon of water. 

To reduce the fever, the following is a useful preparation : — 

i^o. 23. Powdered digitalis, 1 drachm. 

Saltpetre, 2 drachms. 

Mix and give as a ball several times a day. 



Cerchro-Sjjinal 3Ieningitis. 89 

Not iinfrequently after the attack is over some palsy of the 
limbs, generally the hind limbs, remains. This can be most 
successfully met by doses of strychnine, beginning with three 
grains twice a day, and cautiously increasing it a grain every two 
davs, until the animal is taking twelve or fifteen grains daily. 

CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS. 

Definition, — A congestion passing into inflammation of the 
brain and spinal marrow and its envelopes, accompanied by 
paralysis. 

Causes. — This disease is generally epidemic, and confined 
to the cold months of the year. By most, it is attributed to 
a blood poison floating in the air. Some of the epidemics, 
as that in New York city in 1871, were extremely fatal, and 
of the horses attacked with it early after its appearance very 
few recovered. It is believed not to be contagious, so that 
little advantage is gained by separating horses. 

Symptoms. — In its more severe form, the animal is gener- 
ally attacked suddenly with loss of power to swallow, or with 
a spasm ; the hind quarters soon turn cold to the touch, and 
tliere is great tenderness on pressure at some spot along the 
spine. The horse loses the power to stand, the bladder and 
bowels discharge their contents without effort, and the neck 
becomes stiff and contracted similar to lockjaw. In some 
cases frenzy comes on before the palsy, the animal beats its 
head against the wall with great violence, uttering horrible 
cries, and soon dies from the agony. The temperature of 
the skin is lower than in health, and of the rectum but little 
hiffher. When the latter rises to 103° or 104° death is im- 
minent. The urine and pulse are not much altered until 
the disease is well established, but the breathing is more or 
less snoring as a rule. 

Treatment. — The first step is to put the animal in a ^\e\i 



90 Di.scaxr.^ of fJte Horse. 

made sling. Unless this is done within 24 liours from the 
commencement of the attack, there is but slight hope of his 
recovery. Next, he should be well brushed and the legs 
wrapped in woolen cloths. If he can swallow, a moderate 
amount of good soft food should be given. The stable 
should be kept warm, darkened and quiet, and if there is sup- 
pression of urine, it should be drawn oif with a catheter. 

As to medical treatment, there is no use whatever in bleed- 
ing, purging or blistering. The most successful treatment 
is to inject with the hypodermic syringe full doses of sulphate 
of atropine, and give ergot with the food ; or if the animal 
cannot swallow, inject ergotine along with the atropine. (See 
2)age 44). Ice to the spine, or hot salt bags, as some prefer, 
may be tried, but has not produced any marked results ; nor 
has cauterizing the spine with the hot iron. Where the 
strength is failing, full doses of whiskey, either by the mouth 
or rectum, will sometimes keep up the vital powers and give 
a chance for recovery. Animals should not be used or driven 
as soon as they show any signs of the disease, nor should they 
be put to work for some time after such an attack, as it would 
be very liable to liring on a fatal relapse. 

When the hypodermic syringe is not at hand, the following 

combination will supply the place of the remedies mentioned : — 

No. 24. Extract of belladonna, 2 to 3 drachms. 

Powdered ergot, 1 oz. 

Make into a ball or drench — give three times a day. 

Another remedy which is believed to have a soothing effect 

is hromide of potassium. It should be given in ounce doses, 

repeated until the animal is brought under the influence of 

it and suffers less from the pains. 

CONVULSIVE DISEASES OR PITS— APOPLEXY— EPILEPSY— FAILING 
SICKNESS— ST. VITUS' DANCE, OR STRINGHALT. 

Apopletic fits are very rare in horses, though common in 
cows, Thcv will be described later in this work under the 



Fits of Various Kinds. 91 

diseases of calving, (Parturient Apoplexy). Epileptic fits 
are also very uncommon either in horses or cattle, though 
often seen in overfed pigs. The most usual form of the 
disease will be described under Vertigo or Megrims. The 
most practically important of this class of complaints is that 
known in the horse as " Stringhalt," 

This name is given to a habit of suddenly jerking up the 
hind limb when raised from the ground, and bringing it 
down again with more than usual force. It may be shown 
only when turning from side to side in the stall, or it may 
also appear in walking or trotting. Sometimes it is confined 
to one leg, sometimes it extends to both. Sometimes a horse 
will go twenty or thirty steps before he shows the halt; 
then all at once the leg M^ill be suddenly lifted and brought 
down again with a peculiar sudden jerk. 

There is no known cure for stringhalt, and it is pretty 
certain to increase with age and work ; so that it constitutes 
a radical unsoundness in a horse. Kest, cathartics and full 
doses of belladonna will generally lessen it for a time, but 
are of no permanent benefit. 

MEGRIMS, VERTIGO. GIDDINESS. 

Definition. — A disease of the brain, characterized by tem- 
porary loss of control of the muscles, loss of sensation, and 
slight spasms of the muscles, but without inflammation. 

Causes. — Overwork in fat horses, tight or badly fitting 
collars, exposure to the hot sun, constipation, hereditary ten- 
dency, and local irritations, as worms, etc. 

Symptoms. — The animal when at work suddenly stoi)S, 
reels and trembles, perhaps falls to the ground and lies for a 
few minutes partly insensible, then staggers to his feet, and 
remains excitable and nervous for several hours or days. 
There is no positive spasm, and the fits are liable to recur 
with greater or less frequency. 



92 Z)/.s'e .'.sr.s- of flic Ilorm. 

Treatment. — As soon us the earliast symptoms are noticed, 
the horse should be stopped, his collar removed or opened, 
his eyes shaded or covered, and cold water })ouied over his 
head. Blood may be dra^\n from the jugular vein, and the 
horse placed in a quiet stable and given an active purge. 
Horses subject to the disease should have a collar specially 
fitted to avoid any pressure upon the blood-vessels; and if 
young and fat, their diet should be restricted. 

These measures will check an attack and lessen the likeli- 
hood of its recurrence. But megrims is substantially an in- 
curable disease and constitutes a permanent unsoundness in 
a horse. 

It no doubt is often a form of ej^ilepsy, in which case we 
may have some chance of curing it by the use of one of the 
bromides, as: 

No. 25. Bromide of potassium, J oz. 

Powdered gentian, 1 drachm. 

This amount two or three times a day for many weeks. 

Another and cheaper medicine of some renown in epilepsy 
is recommended by Prof. Gamgce: — 

No. 26. Sulphate of zinc, 2 drachm. 

Linseed meal, 1 oz. 

Make into a ball and give twice daily. 

In stallions the fits have sometimes been found to dis- 
appear on castration ; and when they are so fretpient as to 
render the animal almost useless, this means should be tried. 

The nitrate of silver is a medicine Avhich has also been 
recommended. 

No. 27. Nitrate of silver, G to 8 grains. 

Make into a ball with common mass, or molasses and meal, and give 
once or twice daily. Or it may be dissolved in the pail of water. 

Whenever Morms are suspected, or other sources of local 
irritation, these should be attended to in the proper manner. 



Mdnagemcnt of Sunstroke. 93 

SUNSTROKE. 

Definition. — An injury to tlie brain from exposure to the 
ra}'s of the sun and exeessive heat, characterized by sudden 
loss of power of motion and of consciousness, either partial 
or total. 

Causes. — This is a very common disease, in the hot months, 
in our great cities, and usually is directly caused by over- 
work in the sun without protection to the head. Those 
most subject to it are fat, young, feeble and old horses. 
Wearing a sun-shade or a wet sponge on the top of the head, 
giving an abundance of cool water, and wearing a breast- 
strap instead of a collar, are the principal preventive 
measures, and they should not be neglected. 

Symptoms. — In severe cases the horse will suddenly stop, 
prop himself on his extended limbs, pant violently, drop to 
the ground and die in a convulsion. In more gradual 
attacks he will flag in his gait, be unsteady in his limbs, will 
spread his legs in standing and totter. The head is held 
low, the eyes protrude, the nostrils are dilated, the pupils of 
eyes smaller than natural, and the breathing rapid and snor- 
ing. On examination the skin is felt to be hot, the pulse 
quick and weak, and the heart beating violently and irregu- 
larly. Unless relieved, convulsions, palsy and death may 
ensue; or if recovery takes place, the attack leaves for a 
long time symptoms of dullness, drowsiness and irritability; 
while the horse is rarely ever after able to stand an ordinary 
amount of exposure or work in the hot sun. 

Treatment. — Throw buckets of cold water over the whole 
body, using considerable force, and douching especially the 
head and neck. Having done this thoroughly, rub the skin 
energetically with rough cloths, as bagging, etc. Then re- 
peat the douching. There is no use in giving injections, 
and positive certainty of doing injury by bleeding. The 



94 Ditieases of the Horse. 

best of all medicines is quinine. Throw 30 to 60 grains, by 
repeated injections, underneath the skiu with the hypo- 
dermic syringe. This is the East Indian plan and nothing 
equals it in efficacy. 

After the attack the animal should be turned into a well 
shaded field, whero there is plenty of good water, for a few 
weeks. 

As a drench to support the powers at the time of the 
attack, it is recommended to give as soon as possible : 

No. 28. Sulphuric ether, 2 oz. 

Water, 1 pint. 

For a drench. 

No. 29. Tincture of aconite root, 20 drops. 

Ale or beer, 1 pint. 

For a drench. 

PARALYSIS OR PALSY. 

Definition. — Loss of power over some of the muscles, 
owing to a disordered state of the brain or nerves, arising 
from disease, injuries or irritations. 

Causes. — In the horse and cattle, palsy of the hind quar- 
ters is quite common from indigestion, constipation, and 
attacks of colic. In cows and mares it often arises from the 
womb, either at the time of the heat, or after giving birth. 
Such cases are usually temporary, and soon recover. Palsy 
from injury, or from some organic disease of the spinal 
cord are also not infrequent, and these oifer little or no 
chance of improvement. 

Symptoms. — The animal is at first seen to show weakness 
of one hind limb, with knuckling over at the fetlock, and 
difficulty of moving it, when the opposite limb may become 
aifected. If the attack is severe, the animal foils on his 
haunches and is not able to rise. There is no fever, nor 
mental excitement, nor is the pulse or breathing affected. 



Trcaiincnt of Pol.si/. 95 

Treatment. — This should be directed to remove the cause 
of the disease. When there is colic or constipation, give a 
good, brisk purge (Xo. 20) ; if there is tenderness along the 
spine, ergot in full doses with the food is called for. Wlieu 
it is in connection with calving, time and ordinary care will 
generally remove it. 

Such measures failing, we must proceed to an energetic, 
general and local treatment. 

Internally, one of the best drugs is stryGhnine, given as re- 
commended in No. 20, or by throwing one-half to one grain 
under the skin twice daily, as 

No. 30. Strychnine, 2 grains. 

Sulphuric acid, 4 drops. 

Alcohol, ^ oz. 

Every 10 drops contain 1-12 of a grain of strychnine. 

Or it may be given as nux vomica : 

No. 31. Extract of nux vomica, .1 drachm. 

Milk, i pint. 

For a drench twice a day. 

Cantharides is another useful agent. 

No. 32. Powdered cantharides, 5 grains. 

Powdered ginger, 1 drachm. 

Mix with meal to a ball and give twice daily. 

Locally, in a valuable animal, it is worth while to try elec- 
tricity. This has proved of immense service in paralysis in 
the human race. 

Pouring cold water from a height and then immediately 
hot water brings about a powerful revulsion, and sometimes 
greatly strengthens the muscles. 

Rubbing the parts with mustard stimulates them, luid it 
is productive of good in some cases. 

A mild blistering ointment may be rubbed in, as 

No. 33. Powdered cantharides, 1 oz. 

Oil of turpentine^ 1 oz. 

Lard, 8 oz. 
Mix with a gentle heat. 



9G Diiica.sc.s of fhe Horse. 

TETAirUS OR LOCKJAW. 

Definition. — A long continued, jxiinful spa^m of the miis- 
cle.s, which contract rigidly, often keeping the jaws firmly 
closed or locked. 

Causes. — The most freqncnt cause is a Avound in the legs 
or feet, often in itself of a trivial character, such as the pene- 
tration of a small nail, castration or docking. O(>casionally 
the disease arises without known cause, and in rare instances 
becomes epidemic, attacking a great many horses in a district. 
Some believe it is more frequent in cold than in hot weather; 
but in Scotland Prof. Williams found that it is more com- 
mon in summer. It is often seen in the horse, but very 
rarely in cattle. 

Symptoms. — In the earliest stages there Avill be a stiffness 
of the luuscles near the seat of the injury; the limb will be 
moved with difficulty. This stiliness increases and extends 
in two or three days over the body. The animal champs 
his jaws and grinds his tectli. Spittle flows from his mouth, 
and froth shows on his lips. The breathing grows more 
rapid, the pulse quickens, and the nostrils are dilated; 
but the special and unfailing signs of the disease are the 
protrusion of the haw, or winking membrane of the eye, 
and the closing of the ja^vs by the spasms of the muscles 
around it. 

The bowels and bladder cease acting, the belly is stiff, and 
any attempt at swallowing brings on a dry hard cough. 

Treatment. — Of the many plans and medicines recom- 
mended in lockjaw, most are of no sort of use. It may be 
premised by sayijig, that in every case where all the symp- 
toms are firmly established before the fourth day of the 
attack, death may be exjiected and treatment is useless after 
that time. But where the symptoms are less complete, more 



Treatment of Lnckjaic. 97 

slow in developing, and where the patient is seen very early, 
there is a fair chance of success. 

The first step is to incpiire if there has been any wound 
to produce the disease. If there is, it should be examined^ 
cleaned carefully, widened Avith a knife if it seems contracted 
or containing pus, and covered with a warm poultice mixed 
with laudanum or tincture of belladonna. Afterwards it is 
to be smeared M'ith extract of belladonna. 

The next thing, if not the first, is to place the animal 
loosely in slings, and the earlier this can be done in the 
disease the better. The surroundings of the patient are of 
the utmost importance. The stable nuist be darkened • 
should contain no other horses; be kept quiet, and no visitors 
be admitted. It is enough for the suro-eon to look in twice 
a day and give what food, in the shape of nutritives and milk, 
the horse is able to take. Usually the thirst is great for 
several days. 

Mr. Chawner recommends the use internally of: 

Xo. 34. Extract of belladonna, 4 drachms. 

Chloroform, 1 oz. 

Mix witli the drink and give every four hours. 

Various English veterinarians give at the outset, one or 
two full doses of aconite, half a di-achra to a drachm of the 
tincture of the root, and shut the animal up in a cool, dark 
place. They claim great success from this plan. 

The rigidity of the muscles can sometimes be removed for 
several' hours by hypodermic injections of morphia, 3 to 6 
grains. 

Lobelia, or Indian tobacco, has a reputation in some dis- 
tricts as a cure for tetanus in the horse. It is a powerful 
relaxant, and given in doses of half an ounce to an ounce 
of the tincture, will no doubt lessen or remove the 
spasm. But it is apt to return M-hen the effect of the 
medicine passes awa}-. 

7 



98 Disecusea of the Horse. 

Prof, Ganigee advises the use of powerful j)urijutive,s 
early lu the disease, as: 

No. 35. Croton oil, 6 to 8 drops. 

Powdered aloes, 4 to 6 drachms. 

Mix for a drench. 

Or 

No. 36. Castor oil, 6 oz. 

Croton oil, 12 drops. 

To be given in linseed tea. 

HYDROPHOBIA. 

Definition. — A disease which arises spontaneously in the 
dog and cat and is communicated by their saliva to the honse, 
cow, sheep, swine and man. It affects the brain, nerves and 
mental faculties and is incurable. 

Causes. — In the horse, cow and sheep, hydrophobia is al- 
ways produced by the bite of a mad dog or other hydro- 
phobic animal. 

Symptoms. — These appear in the horse from 15 to 90 days 
after the bite; in cattle, after 20 to 30 days; in sheep, after 
20 to 25 days; in swine, after 20 to 50 days. It is gener- 
ally believed that mad animals have a great dread of water, 
and from this the disease receives its name. Most recent 
observers deny this entirely; and explain the mistake by the 
statement that the attem[)t to swallow brings on an exceed- 
ingly painful spasm of the throat, which throws the animal 
into a convulsion. 

In the horse, the patient trembles or staggers ; his eye is 
wild ; he soon grows furious, and endeavors to bite or run at 
and trample down any one whom he can reach ; he kicks 
violently, neighs, draws his yard, jerks his muscles, and 
finally drops paralyzed. Very peculiarly mischievous and 
dangerous pro])ensities mark this species of madness, and 
distinofuish it iVom the delirium of other diseases. . In the 



Treatment of Hydrophobia. 99 

same way the ox is restless and excitable, turns out his upper 
lip, grinds his teeth, bellows loudly, and scrapes witli his 
fore feet and rushes at all who ap[)roach. Sheep and hogs 
show in their own peculiar manners the ferocity and savage 
madness which is the characteristic of the disease. 

Treatment.— This should not be attempted. The only 
proper })lan is to shoot the animal, not only as soon as the 
earliest symptoms appear, but as soon as it is ascertained 
that it has been bitten by a mad dog. After the attack once 
shows itself, it is absolutely useless to try any remedies. 
Yet it is true that many animals, perhaps one-third of those 
bitten by undoubted hydrophobic dogs, never take the 
disease. Therefore, in cases where there is considerable 
value at stake, an effort at prevention may be made. The 
wound should be thorour/lili/ enntenzed, at the earliest possible 
momont, with nitrate of silver, strong oil of vitriol or the red 
hot iron. The animal should. not be used, but placed in a 
roomy box-stidl or well closed shady paddock, and left quiet 
and by itself until the period of development of the disease 
above mentioned has been wholly ])ast. With moderate diet 
and an abundance of water this will no doubt render it less 
liable to succumb to the poison. 



100 Disea~<ics of the Horse. 

CHAPTER II. 

DISEASES OF THE BREATHIXG ORGANS. 

Cauttons in Treating Disca.se.'i of the Breathing Organs. 

Cold in the Head — Catarrli. 

Nasal Gleet — liunning from tJie Nose. 

Cold in the Chest — Bronchitis — Chronic Covgh. 

Influenza — The JEpizootie — Contagious. Catarrhal Fever — - 

Pink Eye. 
Sore Throat- — Laryngitis — Pharyngintis. 
Inflammation of the Lungs — Lung Fever — Pneumonia. 
Pleurisy. 

Heaves — Broken Wind — Emphysematous Asthma. , 
Roaring — High Blowing — Thick Wind — Whistling. 

As this class of diseases is the most common amonai; stock 
in this conntrv, wc preface their description with a few general 

CAUTIONS IX TREATING DISEASES OF THE BREATHING 
ORGANS. 

1. Be very cautious in givi ng purgative medicines. 

Tliere is always a strong tendency for the inflammation to 
sj)read to the bowels, which would either prove fatal forth- 
with, or make a complicated and serious case of a simple one. 
Aloes, gamboge and large doses of salts are therefore not to 
bo given. If the bowels are bound, injections of warm 
water, soap and water or linseed -oil are all that is needed. 

2. Do not give large doses of tartar emetic, calomel, digitalis, 
lobelia or other iveakening medicines. 

The great danger in these diseases is from weakness and 



Geaerid Wdi-iiiiif/s. 101 

exhaustion; and it is veiy obvious that this danger is 
vastly increased by increasing the weakness. 

3. Use blisters, mustard, turpentine and other potoerful counter 
irritants very moderately. 

In the horse, the application of an}" of these causes very 
great disturbance and distress, high excitement, an increase 
of fever, and often thus they do far more general harm than 
local good. Warm fomentations, poultices, etc., are gener- 
ally much better, 

4. Be especially careful lioio you bleed. 

Some of the best English veterinarians say, never bleed in 
this class of diseases. But in the United States, leading 
authorities concede that in the very early stages of inflam- 
mation of the lungs, when the animal is young and stroni!:, 
when the fever is high and the i)ulse firm, full and hard, 
three or four quarts of blood promptly taken from tlie 
jugular vein will cut short the disease. But it is very rare 
that we find all these conditions united, and when we have 
such potent means for lowering the pulse as aconite, veratrum 
viride and lobelia, we need rarely draw our lancets in these 
cases. 

5. Never (jive medicine by drenches in throat disease or ichere, 
there is much coughing. 

Not only docs a neglect of this rule often greatly aggra- 
vate the disease, by exciting and lialf strangling the animal, 
but it frequently disturbs the bowels and thus leads to 
serious compli(tations. 

It will be seen tJia£ most of the above rules completely 
reverse those laid down by the ol<l farriers, and even those 
advocated by such comparatively recent writers, as Youatt, 
Martin, Stonehenge, Mayhew, Slater, etc. ; but they are those 
now accepted and taught In' the most eminent veterinarians in 
England and America. 



102 Disca.ses of flic Horse. 

COLD IN THE HEAD— CATARRH. 

Definition. — An inflamraatoiy afFection of the lining mem- 
brane of the nostrils and parts adjacent. 

Causes. — Sudden changes of temperature ; exposure to wet 
and cold ; change from country air to city stables ; chills in 
changing the coat, etc. 

Symptoms. — Sneezing, running from the nose and eyes, 
redness of the eyes and of the membrane of the nose, slight 
feverishness, dullness, weakness. The discharge from the 
nose is at first thin and colorless, but soon changes to a thick, 
yellow matter. When the case becomes chronic, it is called 
chronic catarrh. The discharge may then become of an offen- 
.sive odor, and varies in quantity, sometimes being from one 
nostril only. It is sometimes mistaken for glanders, but is 
easily distinguished, as in glanders the discharge is thin and 
sticky, and generally without any perceptible smell. 

Treatment. — This is simple and easy, if begun in time. 
Place the animal in a well ventilated stall, but not exposed 
to draughts, keep him blanketed if the weather is cold, and 
make him inhale steam from a bucket of hot water stirred 
with a wisk of hay, and heated by a hot iron occasionally 
thrust in it. A few ounces of nitre may be dissolved in his 
water. Purgatives and bleedings should not be thought of. 

Give internally : — 

No. 37. Extnict of belladonna, 

Powdered camphor, of each, 1 dr. 

Mix and give as a ball or smear on the tongue. 

If the fever runs rather high, take 

No. 38. Spirit of ammonia, 

Ether, each, 2 dr. 

Put in half a pint of linseed oil or gruel. 

Both the ball and the fluid sliould be given every night 
and morninff. If the disease threatens to extend to the 



Trecdmnif of Catarrh. 103 

throat, Vv'rap it well in a large poultice containing some rrnis- 

tard. AVhen the earlier sjiuptoms yield, the principal object 

becomes to build up the strength and improve tlie appetite. 

For this Ave can use 

No. 39. Carbonate of ammonia, 

Gentian, of each, 2 oz. 

Make into 8 balls with linseed meal, and give one night and morning. 

Mr. Finlay Dun finds the following a useful draught when 

a horse has cold, fever, and impaii^ed appetite : — 

No. 40. Epsom salts. 2 oz. 

Nitre, 

Powdered gentian, 
Solution of acetate of ammonia, each, 1 oz. 

Mix in a pint of gruel. 

Another valuable mixture, where there are cattirrhal symp- 
toms and sore tjiroat, is : — 

No. 41. Nitre, 4 drachms. 

Powdered camphor, 2 drachms. 

Ipecacuanha, 

Extract of belladonna, each, 1 drachm. 
Make into a ball, and give one every two hours. 

Prof. Gamgee recommends the " abortive treatment" in 
commencing catarrh, by injecting the nostrils daily for three 
or four days with the following : — 

No. 42. Sulphate of zinc, 2 drachms. 

Tepid water, 4 pints. 

For a nasal injection. 

The same may lie used with advantage in the chronic forms 
of nasal gleet. 

NASAL GLEET. 

Definition, — A low form of chronic inflammation affecting 
the linincr membrane of one or both nostrils, and usuallv ex- 
tending into the pouches or sinuses in the upper jaw-bone 
which connect with them. 

Canses. — The gleet may be the result of a neglected 
catarrh, especially in scrofulous horses; or the consequence 



104 Diseases- of fJiv Horse. 

of influenza or the epizooty; or from some foreign bodv 
Avliieh has accidentally or purposely been thrust up the nose; 
or from the growth of polypi, cancer, etc. 

Symptoms. — The horse may and may not have a cough; 
his. condition is unthrifty, his coat poor, appetite irregidar, 
and bowels loose or constipated; or again none of these gen- 
eral symptoms is present. 

There is a discharge from one or both nostrils. It is ir- 
regular in (juantity, bluish white in color, rather thick and 
sticky, generally foul smelling. Small ulcers and excori- 
ations may be seen on the membranes of the nostrils — but 
not the characteristic, pit-like depressions of glanders. The 
membrane is also changed in hue, and often swollen and 
thickened. 

The question constantly occurs in these cases whether we 
have to do with a case of glanders ; and not unfrequently it 
is a difficult one to answer, until the case has been watched 
for several weeks. It is prudent to be on the safe side, and 
recommend the animal be se|)arated from all others, and his 
attendant to exercise great caution in handling him. 

Treatment. — If there is a foreign body or a polypus 
present, it must be removed. 

When no such obvious cause is lo be found, the nostril is 
to be syringed daily with an antiseptic, cleansing wash, as : — 

Ko. 43. Tlncturu of chloride of iron, 1 oz. 

Water, ' 1 qt. 

To be used once a day. 

A sharp fly blister should be laid upon the face over the 
chambers and sinuses of the nose. This often brings about 
prompt improvement. 

Ciiloride of lime should be sprinkled in the bottom of the 
manger, so that the horse when eating is constant!}' inhaling 
its odor. 



Oil Common Colds. 105 

Inhalation <»rHul{)liur<ius acid gas, well diluted with air, 
is frequently usel'nl. Tlie gas is mixed as follows: — 

Mix half an ounce of the milk of sulphur Mith as much 
powdered charcoal, and burn it in a moderate sized, loose 
stable, allowing the horse to remain in the atmosphere for 
Jialf an hour. Repeat this daily. If it causes much cough- 
ing, it is too concentrated, and must be diluted with more 
air by ojiening the door. 

For the chronic form, or nasal gleet, one of the following 
washes should be syringed up the nostrils every morning : — 



No. 44. 


Chloride of zinc. 
Water, 


30 gr. 
2 qts. 


Or 






No. 4-1. 


Carbolic acid, 
Water, 


1 oz. 

2 qts. 



As the best internal medicine in such cases, Mr. Chawner 
recommends : — 

No. 4G. Sulphate of copper. 
Nitre, 
Powdered gentian, of each 1 oz. 

Make into a ball with linseed meal, and give every night and morning. 

COLD IN THE CHEST -BRONCHITIS— CHRONIC COUGH. 

Definition. — Inflammation of the lining membrane of the 
windpipe and smaller air tubes leading to the lungs, charac- 
terized by hoarse cough and shortness of breath. 

. Causes. — Exposure to sudden changes of temperature; 
standing uncovered when heated by driving; standing in 
drafts, and getting chilled from wet, etc. 

Symptoms. — The most prominent "is the cough. This is 
at first dry and ringing, but soon becomes hoarse, loud, and 
in spells. The pulse and breathing are both generally in- 
creased, sometimes very much so, to the extent of seventy or 
eighty in the minute. The animal is dull and listless, hangs 



106 Diseases of the Horse. 

the lieatl, is thirsty, and di'ops ropv mucus from the mouth. 
The bowels are geuerally constipated, and tlie urine high 
colored. 

On examiniug the chest there is no dullness on percussion, 
which distinguishes it from pneumonia, and the breathing is 
evidently not painful, which marks it off from pleurisy. On 
listening with the ear, moist bubbling sounds can be heard 
in the chest, caused by the mucus in the air tubos in the 
lungs. 

As the disease advances toward recovery, a profuse dis- 
charge issues from the nostrils, the inflammation gradually 
subsides, the couirh becomes less hoarse and more vigorous, 
the discharge becomes thinner and finally ceases. But if the 
progress is toward a fatal issue, the breathing increases in 
rapidity, the pulse becomes feeble and rapid, a bloody froth 
hangs from the mouth, and convulsions seize the animal 
while coughing, and close the scene. 

Treatment. — All weakening measures, such as bleeding, 
tartar emetic, etc., are to be avoided ; so also are all " cough 
mixtures," as what are called expectorants are almost useless 
in the lower animals. In the very first stage of the disease, 
while the membranes are dry and the cough ringing, a full 
dose of an opiate may be given with great advantage. The 
hypodermic injection of morphia is the most desirable form. 
Next to this, 60 to 80 drops of tincture of aconite given in a 
pint of water every two hours will reduce the pulse promptly. 
Later on, to soothe and relieve cough, take 

No. 47. Carbonate of ammonia, 

Powdered eaniphor, 

Extract of belladonna, eacli 1 dr. 

Make into a ball with linseed meal, and give this amount three times 
a day. 

For the feverishness, half-ounce doses of nitre may be given 
in the water once or twice daily. There is often profuse 



jReceipt.s J'or Covyhn. 107 

staleing in the course of the disease, which is beneficial rather 
than other^Yise. If tlie bowels are constipated, injections of 
oil and soap and water are far better than aloes or other pur- 
gatives. If there is much weakness remaining, tonics such 
as No. 46 are called for. 

Chronic Cough is a troublesome and common result of a 
neglected cold. The cough is generally loud and metallic, 
and often is accompanied, especially in cattle, with emacia- 
tion and weakness. Very many remedies have been sug- 
gested for it, and when one fails after a reasonable time, it is 
well to try another. Professor Williams recommends : — 

No. 48. Prnssic (hydrocyanic) acid, dilute, 40 to GO drops. 

Nitre, 

Bi-carbonate of Soda, each 1 oz. 

Water, 1 qt. 

This amount twice a day, a strong blister to the breast, and careful 
housing and nursing. 

Mr. Chawner prefers external applications, of which he 

says the following is the best: — 

No. 49. Croton oil, 15 to 20 drops. 

Glycerine, 1 oz. 

To be rubbed on the throat and around the windpipe once every ten 
days. 

Mr, Finlay Dun recommends the following cough mix- 
ture : — 

No. 50. Fowler's solution of arsenic, 

Chlorate of potash, each 1 oz. 

Extract of belladonna, 1 draclim. 

Make into a draught, with water or gruel. Valuable in chronic irri- 
table cough, especially when remaining after attacks of influenza or 
sore throat. 

No. 51. Powdered camphor, 

Extract of belladonna, each 1 drachm. 

Sweet spirits of nitre, 2 oz. 

Give in a pint of cold gruel several times a day to horses or cattle, where 
there is commencing cough and sore throat. 



108 Diseases of tie Horse. 

An ordinary cough and fever draught in: — 



No. 


52. Powdered c 
Nitre, 
Water, 


ligitalis, 


i drachm, 

I OZ. 

1 pint. 


Foi- 


a drench. 







The following is reconiniendod as a useful drench in ob- 
stinate coughs : — 

No. 53. Solution of potash, 1 drachm. 

Linseed oil, 2 oz. 

^loUisses, 1 OZ. 

Give in a pint of soft water or milk twice a day. 

Tar water has been well spoken of: 

No. 54. Tar water, 

lAnie water, each I pint 

Powdered squills, 1 drachm. 

Tills drink every morning in obstinate coughs. 

As a sedative mixture, to allay the violence of the cough, 
we may employ: — 

No. 55. Nitre, 4 drachms. 

Powdered opium, 2 drachms, 

Prussic acid (dilute). 1 draclim. 

Mix in a pint of mucilage or linseed tea, and give half a tumblerful 
three times a day. 

Sometimes a chronic cough of long standing is benefitted 

by a blister on the chest. Instead of the usual cantharides 

plaster we may use the following, which leaves less of a 

blemish : — 

No. 56. Croton oil, 1 drachm. 

Sulphuric ether, 
Alcoliol, each 10 drachms. 

Apply with friction. 

Expectorants, as they are called, — medicines designed to 
loosen the cough and hasten the restoration of the secretions 
to their natural condition — do not act with as decided bene- 
fit in the lower animals as in man. They are, however, occa- 
sionally useful. One of the best combinations is : — 



Confar/ioKs InJJiienza. 109 

Ko. 57. Glim aramoniacjim, - drachms. 

Powdered squills, 

Aloes, each 1 drachm. 

Mix witli mass or meal to a ball, and give every morning in long 
standing coughs. 

Or if the bowels do not seera eostive, and the cough is of 
an irritable, easily eScited, spasmodic character, the aloes can 
be beneficially replaced by opium, in the same quantity. 

An excellent combination is : — 

No. 58. Muriate of ammonia, ^ oz. 

Ipecauanha, 

Licjuorice powder, each 1 drachm. 

Mix witli tar, honey, or molasses, to form a ball, and give one every 
morning to break up a cold on the chest. 

INFLUENZA— THE EPIZOOTIC DISEASE— CONTAGIOUS CATAERHAL 
FEVER— PINK EYE. 

Definition. — By these and other names the disease is known 
which in the fall of 1872, and often before and since ]ias 
swept through the United States attacking almost every 
horse. It is a contagious epidemic disease, characterized by 
inflammation of the membranes of the air passages, discharge 
from the nostrils, cougli and debility. It is quite fatal, the 
mortality in the Atlantic States being in 1872 over 10,000 
horses in a month. 

Cause. — The imuicdiate cause is wholly unknowui, but it 
is believed to be owing to some blood poison which spreads 
through the air. 

Symptoms. — Tlie earliest symptoms are weakness shown in 
a staggermg gait, hanging he^d and trembling, shivering as 
from cold, loss of appetite ; watery discharge from the eyes 
and a staring coat soon follow. The pulse is quickened an<l 
weak, from 50 to 60 in the minute, there is a short dry 
cough and the breathing is a little hurried. Later on the 
I)ulse rises to 80 or 90, tlie temperature to 104° or 105°;, and 
the breathing to 40 or 50 times per minute. The body is 



IIU Di^eaaes of the Horse. 

j^ropped up by the extended legs and tJie horse is evidently 
afraid to lie down. 

The bowels are bound, the urine scanty. Often the 
disease extends to the throat and lungs, bringing in bron- 
chitis and pneumonia as complications. The nose discharges 
a white, yellowish or greenish matter. Sometimes rheumatic 
swellings and tenderness take place in the muscles and joints 
of the limbs, and may last for months, leading to abscesses 
and fistulce. Death comes through weakness and exhaus- 
tion, suffocation, paralysis, or clots forming in the heart. 

Treatment. — Here again any lowering treatment by aco- 
nite, tartar emetic, lobelia, bleeding or purging is simply 
murderous. If the bowels are costive, small injections of warm 
water or oil are in order. From the first, begin ^vith tonics 
and stimulants. Mr. Chawner considers the very best to be 
that given No. 39. When the cough is very distressing the 
following mixture Mill relieve it : — 

No. 59. Extract of belladonnii, .1 oz. 

Powdered opium, 2 draolims. 

Powdered camphor, 3 drachms. 

Powdered liquorice, 2 oz. 

Molasses, J pint. 
Mix them well together and smear a spoonful on the tongue two or 
three times a day. 

Good nursing is indispensable. The horse should be mcU 
blanketed and wrapped, and his food should be soft, nourish- 
ing and cooked. An ounce of saltpetre should be placed in 
his drink bucket. 

When after the worst is over there appear signs of dropsy 
by swelling of the legs or sheath, one of the following pre- 
scriptions will be found very efficacious: — 

No. GO. Iodide of potassium. 

Carbonate of ammonia, 

Powdered gentian, of each 1 oz. 

Make into 8 balls and give one morning and evening. 



Ti'cdtiiuiit uj Kpizooty. Ill 

Or, 

No. 61. Iodine, 

Iodide of potash, 

Camphor, 

Extract of belladonna, each i drachm. 

This is highly spoken of by Mr. Finlay Dun to allay the 
epizootic cough, sore throat and catarrh, A similar com- 
pound is: — 

No. ()2. Iodine, 20 grains. 

Iodide of potassium, 1 drachm. 

Sweet spirits of nitre, 2 oz. 

Water gruel, 1 pint. 
For one dose two or three times a day. 

Recovery should begin after four or five days, but for 
weeks afterwards the horse must be given little or no work, 
as in very many cases a too early return to labor has led to 
fatal relapses. 

During the disease a stimulating and soothing draught 
may be prepared as follows : — 

No. 63. Powdered camphor, 

Carbonate of ammonia, each 2 drachms. 

vSulphnric ether, 1 oz. 

Give in a pint of cold ale or beer, two or three times a day. 

Or, 

No. 64. Sweet spirits of nitre, 

Sohition of acetate of ammonia, eacli 2 oz. 

Extract of belladonna, 1 drachm. 

Give in a pint of water as a stimulant and anodyne draught. 

Mr. Finlay Dun says that in the roaring, noisy respiration 
whic;li accompanies some forms of epizootic sore tliroat, no 
medicine gives such immediate relief as the subcutaneous 
injection of belladomui or afropia. For the spasmodic cough 
which often follows the attack, the same writer recom- 
mends : — 

No. 65. Cldoroform, 1 drachm. 

Alcohol, 10 drachms. 

Extract of belhulonna, 1 drachm. 

Give in a i)int of cold linseed gruel, and let it be swallowed very 
slowly, so as lo insure more prolonged local efll'ct. 



112 Z^/.s'gcY.sY'.s' of the Hors(\ 

SORE THROAT— LARYNGITIS— PHARYNGITIS. 

Definition. — Inflammation of tlie lining membrane of the 
upper part.s of the food and air passages, usually accompanied 
with cough, difficult swallowing, and fever. Although a 
distinction is drawn between laryngitis and pkarvngitis, prac- 
tically they are nearly always both present when either is. 

Causes. — The same that give rise to colds and catarrhs. 
In addition to those, bots may cause it in horses. 

Symptoms. — In its acute and severe forms this is a dan- 
gerour, disease. The breathing rapidly becomes difficult and 
sounds hoarse. The inspiration is longer than the respira- 
tion. The animal's nose is protruded, the eyes are prominent, 
watery and bloodshot. There is a distressed expression of 
the face, a hoarse rasping cough, cold sweats on the body and 
legs, and they and the ears feel cold to the touch. The animal 
stamps its feet repeatedly and is excitable. Prostration and 
death may rapidly ensue. Generally, however, these symp- 
toms are j^resent in a much milder form. There is usually a 
running from the nose, and evident pain in the act of swal- 
lowing. 

Treatment. — This should be prompt where the symptoms 
are of the severe type above described. The tliroat should 
be fomented with cloths wrung out of hot mustard water, 
the animal's head should be held over a bucket of hot water 
so that he can inhale the steam, and if signs of strangling 
and suffiication appear, no hesitation must be had to open the 
n})per part of the windj)ipe lengthwise ^A'ith a sharp knife, 
and atube of lead be inserted for theanimal to breatlie through. 
Should the attempt to steam tlie throat excite the horse, it 
should not be pushed, as it is of great importance to keep 
liim quiet. 

Owing to the difficulty of swallowing, medicine cannot 
well be given by the throat; but tlie compound cougli ml::- 



Tiratm.ent of Sore TJiroat. 113 

lure, No. 47 cau be advantageously smeared on the tongue ; as 
can also the following : — 

No. fi6. Powdered chlorate of potasli, 4 tz. 

Powdered guaiacuni, 1 oz. 

^lola^ses, 2 pint- 

Mix and smear a spoonful on the tongue several times a (hiy. 

Much good will sometimes be done by mixing mustard 
with water to a thin paste, and painting it outside the throat. 

When the patient is feverish, and the throat hot and dry, 

tlie following is a successful mixture: — 

No. 67. Powdered ipecac, 1 drachm. 

Sohition of acetate of ammonia, 1 oz. 

Give in a pint of cold linseed tea, and repeat it three or fdur times a 
day. 

In the more chronic forms, astringent applications are use- 
ful, as: — 

No. 68. Tincture of myrrh, 2 oz. 

Camphor mixture, 4 oz. 

Honey, 6 oz. 
Make into a soft mass, and give with a spoon. 

Or, 

No. ()9. Tannic acid, 2 drachms. 

Honey, 4 oz. 

Mix and give as the last mentioned. 

Rubbing the throat with mustard or blistering it may be 
required in cases of long standing. A stimulating embroca- 
tion will, however, often suffice. A very common one is: — 

No. 70. Oil of turpentine, 

Solution of ammonia, 

Olive oil, equal parts. 

Use by rubbing on the tliroat daily. 

It is quite as efficient as many more complicated ones. 

When a more decided action is desired, the croton oil 
blistering mixture, No. 56, will be found valuable. 



114 Diseases of the Horse. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS— LUNG FEVEE— PNEUMONIA. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the snbstanccof the lungs, 
followed by a secretion of lymph, which fills them up and 
solidifies them, leading to death by suffocation, suppuration, 
or else to gradual absorption of the lymph and recovery 

Causes. — The general causes of this common, dangerous 
and therefore important disease are much the same as for 
colds, namely, exposure to sudden changes of temperature, 
getting chilled or wet, and draughty stables. Any slight 
cold or sore throat may rapidly run intb pneumonia. It is 
also brought on by irritating smoke and gases, poisons in the 
blood, Avounds of the throat or lungs, and various exhaust- 
ing diseases. 

Symptoms. — The earlier symptoms are increased rapidity 
of the pulse, reaching 70 or ,80 beats per minute: a tem- 
perature rising to 103° or 104° and above; chilliness; a dry, 
dull couo-h : and coldness of the legs and ears. The breath- 
ing is generally not very rapid at first, not more than 20 or 30 
times a minute, and unless there is pleurisy, it is not painful. 
Sometimes a rusty colored, or blood stained mucus discharge 
froui the nostrils takes place. The horse suffering from the 
disease will stand on his feet to the last, but an ox will lie 
down. After the first three or four days the breathing in- 
creases in rapidity, the pulse becomes feeble or intermittent, 
and the general weakness manifestly increases. 

But none of these symptoms is positive proof of the pres- 
ence of the disease. When, however, in addition to them 
v.e find dullness on percussion over those portions of the 
chest which in health are resonant, we need have no longer 
any doubt^ as this dullness proves the lungs are solidified 
by the inflammation. In many instances, by applying 
the car behind the shoulder, we can hear, instead of the 
natural soft murmur of healthy lungs (see page 73), a fine 



Treatment of Pneumonia. 315 

crackling; sound like the rustling of silk, which is a sure 
sign of the disea:e. 

Treatment. — Few subjects in medicine have been more 
actively discussed than the treatment of pneumonia, and the 
best surgeons are not entirely agreed upon it yet. Neverthe- 
less, most of the leading authorities agree in discountenancing 
bleeding, blistering, and purging, as well as calomel, tartar 
emetic and lobelia. 

The following judicious rules are those laid down Ijy Pro- 
fessor Yvilliams : 

1. Place the animal in a well ventilated loose box, but 
where the air is not too cold. 

2. Clothe and wrap the body, extremities and head in 
suitable, but not too heavy cloths. 

3. Give it as much water as it will drink, adding to the 
water, if there is much fever, about an ounce of nitre or 20 
or 3 drops of tincture of aconite to the bucket full. 

4. If the bo^\'els are bound, loosen them by injections of 
oil or warm water. 

5. If there is much weakness, give two drachms each of 
carbonate of ammonia and camphor, in the form of a ball, 
twice daily. 

6. Let the food be simple, laxative, cooling and nutritious, 
as bran, boiled linseed meal, good hay, or cooked carrots or 
turnips. 

7. If moderate diarrhoea or |)rofuse staleing come on they 
are on no account to be checked, as this is an effort of nature 
to throw off the disease. 

8. If there is great exhaustion, moderate doses of whiskey 
may be given, but there is no use of pushing them, unless 
their good effects are soon seen. 

Prof. Gamgee believes that large mustard poultices to tlie 
chest are of value. Pie also teaches that in young and full 



116 IHKC((f<rs of the Horse. 

blooded animals it is good practice to l)lced wlicu the disease 

is seen in its early stages. 

For the febrile symptoms at the outset, sal Hies are of gciod 

service, as: — 

Xo. 71. Nitre, | oz. 

Sul|)luite of soda, 2 oz. 

Mix with iiiohisscs to give with a spoon, or with a pint and a lia!f of 
water as a drench. 

Or, 

No. 72. Sweet spirits of nitre, 1 oz. 

Sohuion of acetate of ammonia, 

Water, of each 6 oz. 

For a drench repeated every two liours till the fever abates. 

The power of aconite and veratrum viride to reduce the 
pulse and lessen the oppression on the lungs is undoubted ; 
20 to 30 drops of the tincture of aconite root may be given ; 
or one to two drachms of the tincture of vei'atrum in water 
every two hours. The danger of using these medicines is 
that they are apt to bring about great depression of the 
system, and therefore their effects must be watched closely 
by an intelligent person and not left to an ignorant groom. 
As soon as their depressing influences ai^e noticed in the fall- 
ing of the pulse, the sweats, the trembling and the anxious 
eye, they must be suspended. 

TLEUEISY. 

Definition, — An inflammation of the membrane which 
covers the lungs and lines the chest, followed by a secretion 
of a large quantity of watery fluid inside this membrane, 
and consequent pressure on the lungs. It may be on one or 

both sides. 

Causes. — Exposure to cold is generally considered one of 
the cuuunonest causes. Attacks sometimes follow clipping 
and shearing. It is also very frequent as an extension of the 
iuflananation of ])neumouia (pleuro-pneunionia), and brou- 



jSlr/ii.'i of J'/ciirisi/. 1 1 7 

chitis. Occasionally dire<'t vioIeiKv and wounds lead to 
pleurisy. 

Symptoms. — At the outset of the disease there is gener- 
ally a chill, staring coat, and coldness of the skin, with 
signs of pain, the animal pawing the ground and rolling. 
Soon, however, this gives way to so much stiffness and sore- 
ness that any movement is made unwillingly, and if jiressed 
on the affected side the animal will indicate pain. The 
breathing is rapid and incomplete, as every act of respiration 
increases the pain in the chest. Hence it is largely performed 
by the abdominal muscles. The pulse is hard and quick, 
and there is a short, dry, painful cough. If the inflamma- 
tion is extensive, the movemcLts of the animal are very slow, 
unwilling and stiff. On listening to the chest in the early 
stage, a dry, creaking sound is heard, like two j)ieces of 
leather rubbed together, caused by the movements of the in- 
flamed membranes upon each other. 

In the second stage, which comes on in from two to five 
days, when the space between the membrane is filled with 
secreted fluid, this sound disappears. On percussion, the 
lungs sound solid, especially in their most dependent por- 
tions. The breathing now becomes more labored, other 
muscles are called on to aid, even extending to those of the 
tail, which is moved up and down with a motion like a pump 
handle; the nostrils are distended and flap, the pulse is small 
and irregular, and there are dropsical swellings. This condi- 
tion is that of " water on the chest " or " hydro-thorax." If 
the water does not rise higher than one-third of the chest — 
easily ascertained by percussion — there is a fair chance of 
recovery. 

Treatment. — In the very earliest stage, when the pain is 
usually most acute, a full dose of an opiate will cut it short in 
most cases. Thus we may give : — 



118 Dise:ises of the Horse. 

No. 73. Laudanum, J oz. 

Linseed oil, 1 pint. 

Give at a dose. 

This may be repeated in a few hours if it does not check 
the symptoms. The j^ainful sides should be fomented witli 
hot water, the animal warmly clothed, and be allowed to 
drink plenty of water with an ounce of saltpetre to the bucket 
full. Bleeding, blisters and purging do little or no good, 
and very often decided harm. Good food, quiet and warmth 
are always needed. 

If, after the acute symptoms have passed, there remain 
weakness, a rapid pulse (70 or 80), scanty urine of a high 
color, and no diminution in the water on the chest, a moder- 
ate mustard liniment may be rubbed into the chest, and full 
doses of iron given, which is one of the best known remedies 
in this condition. 

No. 74. Tincture of cliloride of iron, h oz. 

This amount in a pail of water twice daily. 

The effusion can also be drawn off by tapping the chest 
with a trochar. This is not nearly so dangerous an operation 
as it used to be thought. To perforin it properly, divide the 
skin with a lancet between the eighth and ninth rib ; then 
stretch the skin so that when it returns to its natural position 
it will cover the spot punctured by the trochar. Plunge the 
latter into the sac filled with the effusion, and let the con- 
tained matter flow out freely. Some recommend syringing 
the sack with dilute carbolic acid (one drachm to ten ounces 
of water). If the sac refills, it can be tapped again, and even 
a permanent external opening has been advocated by some. 
After being tapped, the animal should be fed up Avith nutri- 
tious food, iron tonics, etc. 

It is well, in order to hasten the absorption of' the water 
in the chest, to give the following : — 



Zoisounchicsf< of the Wind. 119 

No. 75. Iodide of potassium, 

Carbonate of ammonia, each 1 drachm. 

Gentian, powdei'ed, ^ oz. 

Give as a ball or drench twice a day. 

HEAVES— BROKEN WIND— EMPHYSEMATOUS ASTHMA. 

Definition. — A chronic disease of the breathing organs, 
without inflammation, charactei'ised by a peculiar breathing, 
the breath being drawn in with ease, but breathed out by- 
two distinct efforts. There is always a peculiar cough of a 
hollow muffled sound, easily produced at any time by pres- 
sure on the upper part of the windpipe ; and nearly always 
there is indigestion with flatulence. 

Causes.— The immediate cause is rupture of the small 
cells in the lungs, so that the animal cannot expel the air he 
lias drawn in without an extra and double effort. This 
rupture is brought about by putting the horse to hard work 
wdth his stomach full of coarse and undigested food ; or by 
liered itary predisposition . 

Symptoms. — Usually the character of the expirations 
above noted and the cough leave no doubt of the disease. 
On percussion, the chest is found to be more resonant than 
natural ; and on listening with the ear to the chest, a rustling 
sound is heard, denoting the presence of air in the lung 
tissue. The symptoms are always more severe when the 
animal has a full stomach. The animal usually is unthrifty, 
dyspeptic and with a harsh dry coat. 

Treatment. — A cure is impossible ; but great relief may 
be had by feeding the horse on light nutritious food in mod- 
erate quantities, and by improving his digestion by alkalies, 
acids or tonics. A purgative should occasionally be admin- 
istered and the bowels kept regular. 

A celebrated recipe of the late Professor Dick in this 
disease was : — 



120 7)/s.v?.sT,v of t/ic Horse. 

"So. 7(). Calomel, 

Digitalis, 

Upiiiiu, 

Camphor, of eiscli 30 grains. 
Malce into a ball and give once or twice a day. 

After the first week the calomel should be omitted and the 
three remaining ingredients continued. 

Prof. Law considers the most useful of all medicines to 

be an arsenical preparation, as : — 

No. 77. Arsenic, Fowler's solution, 1 oz. 

Belladonna extract, 1 drachm. 

Tincture of ginger, h drachm. 

Mix with a pint of water for a drench and give every morning for a 
month or two. 

If the animal is turned out to pasture on clean short grass, 
and given this regularly, it Mali cure mild and recent cases. 

EOARING—HIGHBLOWING— THICK WIND— WHISTLING. 

Definition'. — These peculiar noises all arise from some 
diseased condition of the windpipe. Roaring when of long 
standing is owing to atrophy or degeneration of the muscles 
of the larynx, Thkk v-'ind arises from an inflamed and 
thickened condition of the lower and smaller branches of th.e 
breathing tubes. WTiistUng is a sharp sound arising from a 
narrowing of the windpipe, usually at its up})er jiortion 
near the larynx. Both roaring and whistling occur during 
inspiration. 

Causes. — All these disorders may follow sharp colds, or 
pneumonia, strangles, diseases of the nose, tumors or tigiit 
reining. They are also frequently hereditary, and constitute 
an unsoundness. 

Symptoms. — In addition to the peculiar sound above 
mentioned, the roarer generally has a cough which is jh'cu- 
liar, being a loud sharp dry sound, half a roar, half a cough. 
In thi(;k wind the breathing is more rapid than usual, and 
tliere is a siiort, dry loud cough, which can be elicited at any 



Trcatiiicnf of Thick WiiuL 121 

time by mukiiii^ tlic aiuDial take a sudden movement, or 
givini^ hi in an unexpected blow upon the ribs. 

Treatment. — The most successful treatment of roaring lias 
been by living or blistering the skin of the laryngeal region. 
It has been found that hypodermic injections of strychnia 
will excite the atrophied muscles, as in the form given below. 

Thick wind may be improved and sometimes cured by 
proper medicines. Mr. Chawner recommends: — 

No. 78. Powdered nitre, 

Powdered opium, 

Powdered ciimphor, each 1 drachm. 

Make a ball and give it once or twice a day before feeding, for 
several days. 

The following is excellent for the same purpose: — 

No. 79. Powdered nitre, 

Extract of belladonna, each 1 drachm, 
Arsenic, 8 grains. 

For one ball to be given once daily for a week. 

Give easily digested food in small quantities at a time, and 
as little water as possible. Always let the horse rest au 
hour after feeding. 

When, as is generally the case, roaring is owing to paraly- 
sis of the muscles of the larynx, it can be successfully 
treated by the plan recommended by Mr. Mavor of London. 
This is by injecting sfri/chnine subcutaneously in doses of 
one-half to one grain, repeating this every two or three days. 
It is also reputed to have been of manifest advantage when 
given by the mouth, as: — 

No. 80. Strychnine, 3 grains, 

Linseed meal, Sufficient. 

Make a ball and give twice a day. 

Another plan of treatment is to rub daily or every other 
day the throat with iodine ointment: — 



No. 81. Iodine, 


1 drachm. 


Iodide of [)otash, 


2 drachms. 


Lard, 


2 oz. 


Mix at a gentle heat. 





122 Diseases of the Horse. 

And to give internally a cough ball of the following com- 
position : — 

No. 82. Digitalis, 1 draclim. 

Nitre, 2 drachms. 

Powdered liquorice, 4 drachms. 

Mix with enough tar to form a ball and give it twice a day. 

The application of a seton to the front of the throat is a 
form of counter irritation which sometimes stimulates the 
muscles of the larynx. 



The Digestive Organs. 123 

OHAPTEfi III. 

DISEASES OF THE 0±JGAJsS OF DIGESTION. 

General Remirhs on Diseases of the Digestive Organs. 

Local Infleimmation in and around the IloutJi — Lampas — 

Vives — Barbs and Paps — Tender and Bleeding Gums — 

Decayed Teeth — Tooth Cough. 
Ind gcstion and Dyspepsia. 
Cribbing — Crib-biting — Wind-sucking. 
Colic — The Gripes. 

Tympany — Flatulent Colic — Tympanites — Swollen Belly. 
Constipation — Costiveness. 
Diarrhwa — Scouring. 
Inflammation of the Bowels — Enteritis. 
Dysentery — Bloody Flux — Colitis. 
Congestion and Inflammation of the Liver — Hepatitis — 

Jaundice — Th e Yellows. 
Intestinal Worms. 
The Bots. 

GENEEAL REMARKS ON DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 

Most diseases of these organs arise from errors in feeding, 
or from folly in ignorant persons })Ouring down irritating 
medicines or administering injurious "condition powders." 
In the horse the intestines generally suffer ; in the ox and 
sheep it is more frequently the stomachs. 

The long tract of the intestines in the horse, to which we 
have referred on a previous page, and the important physio- 
logical fact that he has but one stomach with which to do the 
work for which four are assigned *to the ox and sheep, render 
him highly sensitive to morbid disturbances of these organs. 
There is also a closer sympathy in him than in the others 



124 i>/,stv/.sv.s oj' flu- IlcrtiC. 

between the stomacli and the brain, .slight attacks of indi- 
gestion frequently leading to vertigo or " staggers." 

As Avas remarked wlien speaking of the anatomy of the 
digestive tract, it properly begins with the teeth and mouth 
and closes with the anus ; in the consideration of its diseases, 
therefore, all the various parts and organs with which ilic 
food comes in contact from its entrance to its exit from the 
body will be discussed. 

LOCAL INFLAMMATIONS IN AND ASOTJND THE.MOUTH. 

There are quite a number of localized inflammations which 
occur in and around the mouth, and which have received 
meaningless names from the old English farriers, most of 
which, however, are still })reserved in one part of this country 
or another, through the traditions of the stable. 

Symptoms. — The general symptoms which indicate that a 
horsL' has some })ainful swelling in the mouth arc a champing 
of the jaws, a return of his food to the manger w'ithout swal- 
lowing it, and a loss of condition in consequence. He is 
restless and uneasy, and sometimes there is a dribbling of 
saliva from the mouth. 

The principal forms of these inflammations, with their 
popular names and treatment arc as follows : — 

1. Lampas. 

An active inflanunation of the ridges or fleshy bars in the 
roof of the mouth, generally occurring in a young horse 
while shedding his teeth ; sometimes occurring in older ones 
from overfeeding. 

The " bars" swell so nuich that sometimes they project 
below tiie level of the nippers, and are so tender that all hard 
and dry food is refused. 

The proper treatment is to scarify the bars with a sharj) 
lancet ; and should this not reduce the swellings ])romptly. 



D'tsordcrx of the Jlotifh. V2~j 

they should be touehed with the stick of nitrate ol" silver, or 
swabbed with a strong solution every day until they disap- 
2iear. 

2. Vives. 

These are chronic enlargements of the glands of the lower 
jaw, encroaching on the ca^•ity of the mouth. They are lia- 
ble to become tender and to discharge in the mouth. 

The treatment is by applying to the skin over M'here the 
swelling can be felt an ointment of biniodide of mercury, 
one drachm of tJie biniodide to the ounce of lard, repeated 
daily until a free secretion from the skin is established. 
This will nearly always disperse them. Or they may be 
painted with tincture of iodine ; or a tartar emetic ointment 
may be used, as : — 

No. 83. Tartar emetic, 2 drachms. 

Olive oil, 1 drachm. 

Lard, 1 oz. 

Kub together the tartar emetic and oil until smooth, tlien add the 
lard. For a pustulating ointment. 

3. Barbs and Paps. 

By these and other names are known the swellings caused 
by obstructions of the ducts of the salivary glands. Their 
position indicates their origin. 

The treatment is by an incision over the swelling with a 
sharp pointed knife; or by holding a pencil of nitrate of sil- 
ver again.^t it every day for a moment or two. The horse 
should have a moderate dose of a laxative medicine (3 or 4 
drachms of aloes), and his food l)e changed for a time. 

4. Tender and Bleeding Gums. 

In young and scrofulous, and in quite old horses, it is not 
unusual to find the gums swollen, and to the touch soft, 
spongy and bleeding easily. Such horses have usually wide 
spaces between the teeth, which are found to be full of partly 
decomposed food. 



126 Diseases of the Horse. 

As the act of mastication is painful, the animal performs 
it imperfectly, which becomes visible in his deteriorated con- 
dition, as well as by an inspection of his dung, which will 
consist in part of half digested food. The breath is un- 
pleasant and signs of indigestion are present. 

Treatment. — The matter lodged between the teeth should 
be removed every day with Avater and a properly constructed 
brush; afterwards the parts should be washed with a solution 
of chloride of lime (an ounce to the pint). A spoonful of 
the following should then be smeared on and around the 
teeth : — 

No. 84. Powdered chlorate of potash, 2 drachms. 

Honey or molasses, 2 oz. 

The space between the teeth can be filled with gutta percha 
filling. 

When, however, in very old horses, this condition is the 
result of natural decay of the processes of the gums, it can 
only be alleviated by cleansing the teeth and giving soft 
food, of an easily digestible character. 

5. Decayed Teeth. 

The teeth in the horse which are liable to decay are the 
molar or double teeth. The decay may attack the crown of 
the tooth, its neck or its fang. 

Symptoms. — These may be briefly arranged as follows : — , 

1. Pain in eating as shown by "quidding," that is throw- 
ing back from the mouth masses of half chewed food. 

2. Flow of saliva, "dribbling" or "slobbering." 

3. Swelling of the gum, redness, and pain around the 
diseased tooth. 

4. Presence of a black spot upon it. 

5. Sharp pain when the tooth is smartly rapped. 

6. A fetid, sometimes excessively foul breath. 



Disorders of the Teeth. 127 

Treatment. — The only treatment is to remove the decayed 
tooth. Animal dentistry has not as yet gone so far as to fill 
and preserve decayed teeth. It has, indeed, been done, the 
gutta percha filling being used; and there are reasons why 
in a young and valuable animal it would be far better than 
extraction; but to fill the teeth properly is a delicate task ; 
and if done Improperly, the result is worse than removal. 

The chief objection to extraction is that the corresponding 
tooth of the opposite jaw increases in length and becomes an 
object of serious annoyance. It must be periodically ex- 
amined ever after, and when it encroaches beyond its neigh- 
bors it must be rasped back to their level. 

6. Tooth Cough. 

Horses at four years old are very subject to a distressing 
paroxysmal cough. The animal will sometimes cough twenty 
or thirty times without stopping. The sound of the cough 
is loud, sonorous and prolonged. 

The cause of this cough is an irritation of the mouth, ex- 
tending to the throat, brought on by the cutting of the sixth 
molar tooth, which is the one standing last in the row, and 
the replacement of the third temporary molar by its perma- 
nent substitute, both of which occur at tins age. 

With the cough there may be associated some diarrhoea, 
indigestion and loss of condition from the difficulty in chew- 
ing the food properly, and the irritation it consequently causes. 

Treatment. — This consists largely in careful dieting; hay, 
not much bran ; grass, if in season. The mouth should be 
washed in some cooling mixture, as: 

Ifo. 85. Borax or alum, powdered, 1 oz. • 

Water, 1 pint. 

Internally, a moderate laxative should be given, if the 
bowels are disordered, so as to cleanse them from the h-alf 



128 T)l<<eai<cs (if the Jlorxc. 

masticated food, and a daily dose of" bicarbonate of soda, say 
one ounce, in the water. 

INDIGESTION OR DYSPEPSIA. 

Two varieties of indigestion are found in tlie horse, the 
one associated with over-fuHness or engorgement of the 
stomach, the otlier witli an ordinary use of that' ora-;:n. The 
indigestion of cattle, known as "lioveii," presents such pecu- 
liar features, that it will be considered in the section devoted 
hi the diseases of cattle. 

Causes. — Indigestion without engorgement arises in colts 
and young horses from the irritation of teething, from re- 
moval from the dam at too early an age, draughts of cold 
milk, suckling -when the dam is heated, etc. In older ani- 
mals defective teeth, debility of the stomach, and improper 
and irreu'ular feeding: are common causes. Indig-estion with 
engorgement arises from ravenous eating, filling the stomach 
to an excessive degree. 

Symptoms. — These are, in the indigestion without engorge- 
ment, loss of appetite or a capricious appetite, desire to eat 
filth, soreness of the mouth, and increased thirst. The ani- 
mal is hide-bound, has a dry, scnrfy skin, irregular bowels, 
and passes much wind. There are often a dry short cough 
and colicky pains, sometimes diarrhoea, and not unl'requently 
megrims or fits of giddiness. The feces are dark colored 
and of fetid odor; and often the urine is dark colored and 
on standing in a vessel deposits a reddish sediment. 

Indigestion from over-fullness of the stomach is indicated 
liy pawing with the fore feet, especially the near one, belching 
of wind, colicky ])ains, and some degree of fullness of the 
abdomen. There is also (piick pulse, labored breathing, and 
dribbing of saliva from the mouth. 

In severe cases the stomach becomes inflamed and the irri- 



Treatment of Judir/c-stion. 129 

tation extends to the brain. The animal is giddy, staggers, 
is dull and sleopy. This condition is that called ''sleepy 
stnggers;" or the brain becomes inflamed, and we have 
''mad stuggers"; conditions the management of Avhich we 
have already considered (p. 87). 

Treatment. — In ordinary cases of chronic indigestion, we 
should iirst examine the mouth and teeth and remove any 
cause of irritation from them; next we should in(piire care- 
fully into the diet, and see that it is moderate in quantity, 
nutritious, and offered at regular intervals; when these are 
done, it Mill be time to think of medicines. 

Generally it will be advisable to give a mild purge of oil 
or of aloes, with ginger. After this has operated, the follow- 
ing is recommended by Prof. Williams as a tonic exercising 
a haj>py effect : — 

Xo. 86. Bicarbonate of soda, 

Powdered gentian, each ^ o/,. 

Powdered nux vomica, 20 grains. i 

For one dose twice daily. 

Careful grooming is indispensable, and if the hair is thick 
clipping it will sometimes act almost magically. 

Of the various stomach stimulants the following may be 
used : — 

No. 87. Calumba powdered, 2 drachms. 

Common salt, 

Fenugreek, each 1 drachm. 

Mix with molasses to form a ball. 

Or, 

No. 88. Peruvian bark, powdered, 1 oz. 

Flour of mustard, 1 drachm. 

This may be mixed with the food; or if refused, given as a ball. 

When the indigestion is from a weak stomach, as occurs 
after an acute disease, two drachms of the medicinal dilute 
muriatic acid can be added to the drinking water two or 
three times a day, and will often exert a happy effcc-t. 

9 



130 Diseases of the Horse. 

In acute indigestion, or impaction of the stomach, the 

object is to obtain an action of the bowels as promptly as 

possible. The horse cannot empty his stomach by vomiting, 

and hence the excess of food he has taken must be discharged 

by the intestines. Hence a powerful purge is demanded, as : — 

No. 89. Linseed oil , 1 pint. 

Croton oil, 20 to 30 drops. 

For one dose. 



Or, 




No. 90. Powdered aloes, 


4 to 6 drachms. 


Oil of turpentine, 
Calomel, 


2 ounces. 
1 drachm. 


For one dose. 





The belly should be fomented with blankets wet with hot 
water, and injections should be tlirown into the rectum of 
soap and water, oil, and even with a tablespoonful of tobacco 
tea. If sleepy staggers come on, a dose of whiskey and gin- 
ger is serviceable. Care should be taken that the animal does 
not throw himself down and fatally rupture his stomach. 

An active injection for the rectum in such cases is: — 

No. 91. Croton oil, 20 to 30 drops. 

Oil of turpentine, 3 to 4 oz. 

Linseed oil, 1 pint. 
To be thrown well up the bowels. 

CRIBBING— CRIB-BITING— WIND-SUCKING. 

These vicious habits in the horse are symptoms of a disor- 
der of the digestive apparatus, and they are generally found 
in horses with a dry coat, hide-bound, and of unsightly ap- 
pearance. 

Symptoms. — A c7%-biter seizes the manger or some other 
furniture with his teeth, arches his neck, and makes a belch- 
ing noise. After a time this is followed by enlargement of 
the abdomen. A chronic cribber can easily be recognized 
by the appearance of liis front teeth, which ai-e worn and 



On Crih-Blt'mg. 131 

rounded at their front edges, and by the enlarged and over- 
grown appearance of the muscles which depress the jaw. 

A ivind-nucka' smacks his lij^s, gathers air into his month, 
extends his head or presses it against some solid body, arciies 
his neck, gathers his feet together, and swallows air, blowing 
himself out to a very visible extent. 

Both animals are subject to colic, indigestion and diabetes, 
the wind-sucker more, however, than the cribber. 

Treatment. — These habits are considered incurable. They 
may be provented by various mechanical means. 

For cribbing, the throat may be compressed with a neck 
strap of peculiar shape, to be had of most saddlers ; or what 
is called a " bar muzzle" may be applied, which allows the 
horse to eat but not to seize with his teeth. For wind suck- 
ing, a strap studded with sharp points of iron opposite the 
hnver part of the jaw is the best preventive. 

In both cases attention should be given to the indigestion 
and to the condition of the teeth and bowels. 

COLIC— THE GRIPES. 

The horse is subject to two kinds of colic, spasmodic and 
flatulent, which will be considered separately. 

SPASMODIC COLIC -GRIPES. 

Definition. — A spasmodic contraction of the muscular coats 
of the intestines, usually commencing suddenly, causing severe 
pain, and with a tendency to run into inflammation. 

Causes. — These are various. Improper food, sudden 
changes of diet, exhaustion from overwork, drinking cold 
water when heated or exhausted, constipation, worms, and 
ulcers of the stomach, have all been set down as frequently 
leading to the complaint. 

Symptoms. — In intestinal colic the symptoms are sudden 



132 Disrases of the Horse. 

pain, pawing, kicking at the belly, looking round at the 
flanks, lying down, rolling, struggling, or lying outstretched; 
then suddenly rising, shaking the body and remaining a 
short time free from pain. After a short time the })ain re- 
turns, and the animal goes throngh similar motions. During 
the attacks, the breathing and pulse are quickened. There 
are generally frequent small discharges from the bo^vels and 
bladder, which latter is apt to be distended. 

Treatment. — The rational and only safe treatment of colic 
is first to relieve the })ain with an opiate, and next to obtain 
a free action of the bowels by a purge, which is not too vio- 
lent in its acti(Mi. For the first of tiicse. Prof. AVilliams re- 
commends half an ounce to an ounce of laudanum in warm 
water; and for the second, from five to ten drachms of aloes. 

Mr. Chawner })refers the following mixture, which he 
says he has never known to fail in a genuine ca-^e of colic : 

No. 92. Chloroform, 
Laudanum, 

Sulphuric ether, of each 1 oz. 

Linseed nil, 8 oz. 

For one dose. 

A still more convenient and also more prompt plan is to 

inject under the sUin with the hypodermic syringe a full 

dose, say 10 grains, of mor[)hia, and repeat it in an hour if 

the pain does not sul)side. Beyond this all that will be 

necessary will be an injection, as : — 

No. 93. Oil of turpentine, ^ to 1 pint. 

Soap suds, 1 (jt. 

As other valuable combinations, suitable to special cases,. 
Mr. Finlay Dun recommends: — 

Xo. 94. Tincture of aconite, 30 drops. 

Powdered aloes, ', oz. 

Mix and give as a drench in a i)int of water. 

When there is an abundant generation of gas with violent 
swelling, an excellent drench is : — 



Treatmoit of Colic 133 

No. 95. Powdered aloes, h oz. 

vSpirits of aniniunia (ii)il(k'i), 
Siilpliuric etlier, eacli 1 07. 

Mix with a pint of water and give promptly. 

A prompt relief is genendly aiforded ])y eliloml : 



No. 9(i. Hydrate of chloral, 


1 to : 


Sugar, 


•1 oz. 


Mix in a pint of water. 





Oncoftlie colic draughts of the Edinburgh Veterinary 
College is : — 

No. 97. Laudanum, 

Oil of turpentine, each 1 to 2 oz. 

Linseed oil, 1 |)int. 

Mix for a drench. 

For general service, few colic draughts are more effectual 
than 

No. 9.S. Aloes, 4 or ."> drachms. 

Laudanum. 

Sulphuric ether, each 1 oz. 

Rub down the aloes in a quart of warm water, and add the laudanum 
and ether when it is nearly cold. 

Sweet spirits of nitre is another valuable remedy: 

No. 99. Sweet spirits of nitre, 2 oz. 

Aloes, 4 tirachms 

Dissolve the aloes in a pint of cold water, and add the spirits. 

An old colic powder that used to 1)6 so famous that it was 
called the " Blessed powder " is : — 

No. 100. Powdered aloe'^, 

Powdered ginger, 

Powdered senna, 

Cream of tartar, equal parts of each. 

The dose is about two ounces made into a ball or in a drench. 

A recipe approved by Youatt is : — 

No. 101. Oil of turpentine, .3 oz. 

Laudanum, 1 oz. 

Mix and give in a pdnt of warm ale. 

If it does not relieve in half an hour, fj^xwa as a second dose 



134 Diseases of f/ie Horse. 

half tlie quantity, together with one ounce of aloes dissolved 
in warm water. 

Another appropriate combination is: — • 

No. 102. Sulphuric ether, 

Laudanum, 

Spirits of camphor, each 1 oz. 

Essence of peppermint, ] drachm. 

Mix in a pint of gi'uel or ale. 

TYMPANY— FLATULENT COLIC— TYMPANITES— SWOLLEN BELLY. 

Definition, — Chronic distension of the bowels, with ten- 
dency to inflammation and rupture of their coats. 

Causes. — This dangerous form of colic usually arises du- 
ring the course of some other disease, but it may also appear 
as a consequence of spasmodic colic, or without any assign- 
able cause. It is also attributed to food which easily under- 
goes fermentation, as raw i)otatoes, green clover, brewers' 
slops, and the like. 

Symptoms. — In this form of colic the expression of pain 
though not so acute is much more constant than in the pre- 
vious form. The abdomen is somewhat swollen and resonant 
on percussion. The pulse becomes rapid and feeble, the 
breathing difficult, the feet and ears cold, and the animal 
grows weak, staggering and delirious. There is often a dull, 
sleepy look about him, and when he moves it is evidently 
with care to avoid painful movements of the intestines. He 
lies down if at all, cautiously. 

Treatment. — The object of treatment is to clear out the 
bowels thoroughly, yet by gentle means. A violent purge 
would probably lead to fatal inflaiumation. The most 
prompt mode to accomplish this is to oil the hand well and 
inserting it up the rectum, clean out the gut as far as the 
arm can reach. Then throw up a full injection of soap suds 
and oil of turpentine. Next, or previously, it may be, a dose 



Flatulent Colic. 135 

should be given by the mouth, intended to prevent the for- 
mation of the gas. Prof. Williams prefers to anything else, 
this drench : — 



iS'o. 103. Solution of ammonia, 


h. OZ- 


Oil of turpentine, 


1 OZ. 


Linseed oil, 


1 pint. 


For a drench. 





No food or water, or but very small quantities, should be 
given until there is relief by these measures. 

The French veterinarians ttd^e a trochar and plunge it 
into the intestines, to give a vent to the gas; but this is rarely 
needed, and the relief it affords is only slight and tempoi'ary. 

For flatulent colic, Prof. Gamgee advocates assafoetida, 
as: — 



No. 104. Assafoetida, 


2 to 6 dn 


J^inseed oil, 


1 pint. 


Mix and give as a drench. 




Or, 




No. 105. Tincture of assafoetida, 


2 to 4 oz. 


Laudanum, 


2 to 1 OZ 


Mix with a pint of gruel or ale. 





Where, in conditions of discavSe and exhaustion, the colic 
is from tyjnpany or swollen belly. Prof. Gamgee lias found 
chlorate of potash useful : — 

No. 106. Chlorate of potash. ^ oz. 

Sulphuric ether, 2 oz. 

Water, 2 pint. 
To be given in gruel. 

Or in a later stage, when it is desirable to act moderately 
on the bowels and correct the discharges, he gives : — 

No. 107. Chlorinated soda, ', oz. 

Powdered aloes, 2 to 4 oz. 

Warm water, 1 pint. 
Mix for a drench. 



136 Di-^edsc.^ of {/le Ilorxe. 

CONSTIPATION— COSTIVENESS. 

Definition. — Abseiue or diminution of the natural dis- 
charge from the bowels, usually aceomj^anied with dry and 
hard feces, straining and difficulty in tiieir expulsion. 

Causes. — 111 feeding, debility of the bowels, want of ex- 
ercise, indigestion, and various other diseases, especially in- 
flammation of the bowels. Paralysis of tiie bowels is an 
occasional cause, and one very dangerous to life. Its pres- 
ence may be recognized by the absence of the intestinal 
murmurs always to be heard in Iiealth by listening to the 
abdomen. 

Symptoms. — The hard, dry and scanty character of the 
evacuations is the principal sign. Colicky pains, hide Ijound, 
passage of wind and other symptoms of indigestion are often 
present. Tlic animal does not thrive, and is lacking in 
spirit. 

Treatment. — This is not always to be by strong purges. 
These often make tlie matter worse. The diet should be 
rendered more laxative, as mashes of bran and linseed meal, 
oat meal, etc, a change of water given, and mild aperient 
medicines with special stimulants to the bowels. 

An excellent laxative mixture for horses and cattle, is: — 

Xo. 108. Flour of sulphur, 

Cream of tartar, of each 2 or 3 oz. 

Mola.«ses, 2" pi"*. 

Mix this in the drinking water, or if distasteful, with water ns a 
drench. Jt should be repeated every other day. 

Strychnia and nux vomica have a special power of action 
on the boNvels when partly paralyzed or excessively torpid. 
It is well to combine the nux with an aromatic and a laxa- 
ative, as : — 

No. 109. Powdered nnx vomica, 1 drachm. 

Powdered aloes, 2 to 3 drachms. 

Ginger, 2 drachms. 
Mix lor a liall and give one everv other dav. 



Condipatioii and Diarrhcvo. 137 

The oils are gentle and beneficial laxatives, as: — 

No.no. Castor oil, 1 to 6 oz. 

Linsct'il oil, 8 oz. 

Mix and give in gruel. 

Or a mixture of soap and aloes: — • 

No. 111. Powdered aloes, 

Wort soap, each 8 oz. 

(linger, 4 c z. 

Mix and make S balls. CJive one every morning. 

For cattle, a mild laxative and tonic combination, is: — 

Xo. 112. Epsom salts, ^- lb. 

(Sulphur, 4 10 6 oz. 

Ginger, 

Gentian, each \ oz. 

Mix in a quart of warm water for a drench. 

DIARRHOEA— SCOURING. 

Definition. — A condition characterised by loose, Avatcry, 
and frequent discharges from the bowels without the jiresence 
of inflammation. 

Causes. — Indigestible or irritating food ; presence of worms; 
purgative medicines ; too much water ; disorders of the liver ; 
and constitutional tendency. Flat sided and narrow loined 
horses particularly, are said to scour often, without appju'ent 
cause. 

Symptoms. — In simple diarrhoea there is a frequent ex- 
pulsion of half fluid discharges, brownish or clay-like in 
color, without offensive smell. The animal loses flesh if the 
disease continues, the appetite fails, and there is a general 
tendency to " run down." 

Treatment. — As sometimes a diarrhea is often the attempt 
of nature to get rid of injurious matters in their intestines, it 
is well to aid her in the effort, If such a case is seen early, 
therefore, a moderate dose of castor oil, or linseed oil should 
be given. Later in the case, this will not answer so m'cH; 



138 Diseases of the Horse. 

but at all times it is well to avoid too suddenly checking the 
disease. 

When the discharges are sour and fetid, the following 
powder may be mixed in the food two or three times a day : 

Xo. ] 1 3. Powdered chalk, 

Bisulphite of soda, of each 1 oz. 

For one dose. 

AVhen this does not bring about an early lessening of the 
symptoms, the following is a favorite with Prof. Williams: 

No. 114. Oil of turpentine, 

Laudanum, each ^ oz. 

Eggs, 3. 

Beat up in a pint of warm water and give at one dose. Repeat two or 
three times a day. 

The following is recommended for this continued purging 
by Mr. Chawner : — 

No. 115. Sulphuric ether, 

Laudanum, each 1 oz. 

Tannic acid, 20 gr. 

Mix in a pint of gruel or flaxseed tea, and give at one dose. 

When the diarrhoea is owing to the action of violent purges, 
" superpurgation " as it is called. Prof. Williams says he 
knows of nothing better than the following : — 

No. 116. Powdered clialk, 

Laudanum, of each 2 oz. 

Mix in a quart of flour gruel, and give every three hours till the purg- 
ing is checked. 

Apply hot applications to the abdomen, and do not let the 
horse drink cold water, which he will very nuich crave. 
Small quantities of flaxseed tea or gruel will partly allay his 
thirst. If he grows weak, wine or whiskey may be given 
him. 

As general prescriptions in diarrhoea Mr. Finlay Dun re- 
commends ; — 

No. 117. Spirits of camphor, 2 drachms. 

Tincture of chloride of iron, 1 drachm. 

Ether, 1 oz. 

For one dose in uiarrlxea after the early feverisli symptom's have abated. 



Tiratincnt of Diarrhea. 139 

Xo. 118. Sulphate of copper, 1 to 2 dradims. 

Powdered opiuiu, 1 draehni. 

Give as a ball or mixed in linseed tea two or three times a day in ol)- 
siinate watery diarrhoea. 

Xo. 119. Acetate of lead, 

I'owdered opium, each 1 drachm. 

Give as the last prescription. 

In cases of sour discharges, gi'iping and moderate scouring, 
the following are antacids and mild astringents Avhich M'ill 
be found serviceable : — 

Xo. 1*20. Powdered chalk, 1 oz. 

Powdered opium, 1 drachm. 

Creasote, 20 drops. 

Make up with linseed meal and molasses for a ball. 

Instead of the creasote, ctirbolic acid may be nsed in this 
prescription in the same qnantity. 



STo. 121. Powdered chalk, 




Catccini, 




Gin2;er, each 


1 oz. 


Opium, 


1 drachm. 


Make up as the last. 





This is useful when a mere astringent effect is desired, and 
when the bowels have got into an irritable relaxed condition. 
For the same purpose, whether in horses or cattle, the folloAV- 
ing recipes also answer well : — 

Xo. 122. Powdered galls. 

Powdered opium, each 1 drachm. 

Chalk, i oz. 

Make into a ball, or give in gruel or linseed tea. 

Xo. 123. Powdered opium, 

Powdered kino. 

Powdered gentian, 

Bicarbonate of soda, each 1 drachm. 

To be made up and given as the last. 

These prescriptions may be repeated once or twice daily, 
until the discharges are diminished. 

Astringent clysters or injections are usually made up with 
starch water. It is a mistake to have them very copious. 



140 /)/.sYY/.sT.s' of the Hoi'siC. 

From a pint to a quart is abundant in horses or cattle. Large 
injections are apt to increase the action or* the bowels. Use- 
ful formulas are : — 

No. 124. Powdered opium, 2 drachms. 

Acetate of lead, 2 drachms. 

Starch water, 1 qt. 

Tlirow Iialf ofthis in at a time, and the remainder in half an liour to 
an hour. 

No. 125. Tannic acid, 2 to 4 draclims. 

Starch water, 1 pint. 

For one injection. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS, ENTERITIS, 

Definitioil. — An inflammation of the lining membrane of 
the bowels, tending to their softening and ru[)ture. It is 
often rapid in its course and very fatal, destroying life in a 
few hours. 

Causes. — The principal causes are over fatigue, cold from 
ex}>osure or from washing in very cold water while the 
animal is heated. It is also believed to follow severe colic, 
•exce.ssive purging, irritating substances in the bowels, and 
kicks and blows on the abdomen. 

Symptoms. — There is general depression \viththe charac- 
teristic signs of pain in the bowels, chill, and quickened 
breathing ; small, frequent discharges from the bowels are also 
noticed. The appetite is lost, the pulse hard, wiry and quick, 
and the belly is tender on pressure. As the disease advances, 
the symptoms are very much those described under flatulent 
colic or tympanites (p. 134), with which inflannnation of the 
bowels is often combined. The animal suffers severely, 
stamps and paws the ground; his face and eyes become 
haggard; cold sweats cover his body; his breathing is 
irregular and his pulse grows more and more rapid, small, 
weak and wiry. Delirium and convulsions may precede 
death. The marked synq)toms are that throughout the 



liifidminatlon of the Bowels. 



141 



wliolo disease, in spite of the early small discharges of feces, 
constipation is continued and obstinate, and the l)elly swollen,, 
tender and resonant. 

It is of the utmost importance to distinguish colic from 
inflammation of the bowels, as the remedies required in the 
two conditions are directly opposite. We quote therefore 
the follo\\ing table from an English authority : — 



Symptom.'^ of Colic. 



Sudden in its attack. 



Si/mptoms of Infiammatlon of 
the Boivels. 

Gradual in its ai)j)roach, 
with previous indications of 
fever. 

Pulse very much quick- 
ened, but small, and often 
scarcely to be felt. 

Legs and ears cold. 

Belly exceedingly tender,, 
and painful to the touch. 

Motion evidently increases 
pain. 

Constant pain. 

Rapid and great weakness.. 



Pulse rarely much quick- 
ened iu the early part of the 
disease, but evidently fuller. 

Legs and ears of the natu- 
ral temperature. 

Relief obtained from rub- 
bing the belly. 

Relief obtained from mo- 
tion. 

Intervals of rest. 

Strength scarcely affected. 

Treatment. — To give strong purges, as the old farriers 
used to in this disease, is to double the agony of the animal 
and probably to kill liim. Exactly the opposite treatment 
is to be pursued. Opium in large doses, say two drachms, 
nnist be promptly given and repeated every hour or two, 
until the pain is relieved. Or twenty grains of morphia may 
be thrown under the skin by the hypodermic syringe. Hot 
fomentations to the belly are useful, but not always con- 
venient. After the severe symptoms are past, if the bowels 
continue bound, injections of Avarm water should be used to. 
clear them out. 



142 Disect.'iv.s of the Horse. 

Bleeding, blistering and mustard plasters are not called 
for, and much more frequently do harm than good. 

Mr. Finlay Dun uses chloral with opium. He says he 
has had the best results, and often saved life in those cases 
of deadly enteritis which occur in heavy drauglit horses, by 
giving a hypodermic injection of chloral hydrate, forty grains, 
immediately followed by one of morphia, three grains, and 
repeating both injections in about an hour. The combination 
may be made for the mouth, thus : — 

No. 12G. Chloral hydrate, 1 oz. 

Morphia, 10 grains. 

Give in syrup and water, and re'peat every two hours for three or four 
times, or until symptoms abate. 

A favorite prescription of the eminent English surgeon, 
Mr. BarloM', for enteritis, whetjier in horses or cattle, was : — 

No. 127. Calomel, 30 grains. 

Laudanum, 1 oz. 

Mix in a pint ot" gruel. 

This he repeated every hour until three or four doses were 
taken, or else relief occurred. 

A method of treatment we can recommend is, when the 
case is seen early, to begin with small repeated doses of 
aconite: — 

No. 128. Tincture of aconite, 20 drops. 

Laudanum, i oz. 

Give in lime water every hour or two^ to the extent of three or four 
doses. 

Large fomentations to the bowels are of great use. A 
blanket can be folded inside a rubber cloth which is fastened 
over tlie back. The blanket then can be kept thoroughly 
soaked with quite warm water with little trouble. If the 
symptoms of pain and exhaustion are relieved, the attendant 
need not trouble himself about the constipation. The utmost 
that should be done, will be after two or three days to use 
injections of warm water. 



Di/.senteri/. 14o 

AVlien the case is clironic, with pain, tenderness and tyni- 
])any of the b(J^vels, and a slight wearing fever, one of the 
most useful substances is nitrate of silver : — 

No. 129. Nitrate of silver, 5 gmins. 

Opium, 2 liriicliiii. 

This atnount in a ball of bread crumbs or linseed meal twice a day, 
gradually increased to double the dose if the disease does not yield. 

The diet is always of importance. Bran or meal mashes 
made with linseed tea or slippery elm bark tea are suitable. 
Boiled food is better than uncooked. Large quantities of 
water should not be given at once, but small quantities often 
repeated. In chronic cases, if the animal is fed exclusively 
on .s7.-//)i, )iii/k for a week or two, it will sometimes elFect a cure 
without otlicr aid. 

DYSENTEHY, BLOOD FLUX, COLITIS. 

Definition. — Inflammation of the lining membrane of the 
large intestine near the lectum, accompanied with straining, 
discharge of blood and fever. 

Causes. — Poisonous and irritating food, exposure to cold 
and o\-cr\vo:-k, putrid and stagnant water, are quoted as 
causes. It is a rare disease among horses, but common 
(^nough in cattle, among whom it is sometimes epidemic 
Some kinds of pastures seem particularly liable to bring it 
on, and hence it has been known as " moor ill," " wood evil," 
and other such names. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms differ in the acute or sudden, 
and the chronic or long standing forms of the complaint. 

Acute dysentery begins with pain in the lower bowel 
indicated by the animal raising or arching its back, a watery, 
bloody discharge from the rectum, which has an offensive 
smell and is expelled with pain and straining, and the pres- 
ence of shivering followed by qLii(;k pulse, a haggard eye, 
great dulness, thirst, rapid emaciation aixl debility. The 



144 l>^sr(^s•r.s' of the Horse. 

urine is of a 1i!"M color and soanty. There is tenderness on 
])ressure on the belly, and the anus loolcs sore and red. 

In tlie chronic form there is great emaciation, tlie skin is 
harsh and in bad condition, the feces are dark, tinged ^vitli 
blood and pus, discharged with pain and of a very foul odor. 
There is swelling about the jaws, ulcers around the anus, 
sinking in of the eyes, and increasing debility. 

Treatment. — For acute dysentery, when seen early, the 
best treatment is to place the animal in a stall, give it soft, 
nourishing, avcU })repared food and fresh tepid water in 
moderate (piantities, and administer by the mouth the follow- 
ing :— 

Xo. 130. ("astor oil, 4 oz. 

I^audanum, '2 oz. 

Linseed oil, 1 jiint. 
For one dose. 

Give several large injections of simple warm water by the 
rectum S(^ as to wash out thoroughly the lower bowel. G.ini- 
gee's funnel (p. 43), is an excellent instrument for this pur- 
pose. The tail should be tied up and the quarters kept 
clean. 

For this stajre, Mr. Chawner recommends the followin<>': — 

xNO. 131. Sulphtiric ether, 

Laudanum, 

Tincture of catechu, each 1 oz. 

Linseetl oil, C oz. 

For one dose, followed by injections into the rectum of linseed tea. 

But we should prefer to begin with a moderate anodyne 
purge given first (No. 73). 

The chronic form is often very obstinate, as it may depend 
on a scrofulous or consumptive constitution. Careful dieting 
and nursing are indispensable. As for medicines, cod liver 
oil is the best. 

No. 132. Cod liver oil, 2 to 4 oz, 

Eggs, 4. 

Mix in warm water and give twice a day. 



Treatment <f Duscdcnj. 145 

A favorite prescription in both forms is : — 

Xo. 133. Calomel, ^J f • , 

Opium, 1 ^''■=^'^^'"^^- 

Gentian, 

Clialk, each 1 ^'''• 

Make either into a ball or a drench, and give once a <h^y. 

If the feverish symptoms arc not marked, the following 
answers a good purpose : — 

No. 134. Powdered opium. 

Powdered galls, 

Sulphate of copper, each 1 drachm. 

This may be repeated twice a day either for horses or catili>. 

When there is much exhaustion, and the powei's of life 
seem failing, a stimulant mixture is demanded, as : — 

Ko. 135. Spirits of camphor, 7 oz- 

Sulphuric ether, _ j ^'^^ 

Solution of acetate of ammonia, 6 oz. 

Mix and give in gruel. 

Ipecacuanha is used by many veterinarians in acute 
dysentery, as : — 

No. 136. Powdered ipecac, J drachm. 

Powdered opium, -0 gr. 

Castor oil, (5 to 8 oz. 

Give in arrow root water or boiled starch every six hours for three or 
four times at the outset of the attack. 

Or the wine of ipecac may be used, as : 

No. 137. AVine of ipecac, 
Laudanum, 

Solution of potash, each 1 oz. 

Tincture of cantharides, \ oz. 

Mix for a drench in a quart of warm gruel. This is recommended by 
Mr. Gamgee as a dose for an ox in long continued dysentery with 
weakness of the bowels. 

In all cases of dysentery the straining and spasms of the 
rectum are exceedingly painful, and slioul<l be relieved by 
appropriate clysters. The two most ei^ectual agents for this 
purpose are opium and belladonna : — 



146 Di.seascs of the Horse 

No. 138. Laudanum, 2 oz. 

Boiled starch, 1 pint. 

For a clyster; to be repeated every two hours until the straining 
. ceases. 

No. l;>9. Extract of belladonna, 2 drachm^. 

Chloroform, .] oz. 

Fresh milk, 1 pint. 

Rub up the extract in the milk, add the chloroform, and throw up 
the rectum with a syringe. 



CONGESTION AND INFLAjMMATION OF THE LIVES — HEPATITIS — 
THE YELLOWS — JATINDIC2. 

In horses and cattle liver diseases are not very common, 
and when they do occnr are not easily recognized. They are 
usually of the forms known as congestion or torpidit}"" of 
the liver, and inflammation of the organ and its covering, 
called in medicine "hepatitis" and '' peri-hepatitis." 

C^USGS. — The general cause is too rich food and too little 
exercise. Horses which are kept for pleasure, largely fed and 
little worked, while their stables are warm and dark, are apt 
to have their livers grow torpid. So also it is said that horses 
fed on the refuse of the malt house, a rich stimulating food, 
are particularly liable to the same trouble. It is more fre- 
quently met with in the southern than in the northern 
States, and more in cities than in the country. 

Symptoms. — The horse is dull, inactive, has a heavy liead, 
lustreless eye, and is dainty and capricious about his food. 
The dung balls are small and dark colored ; the urine is scanty 
and dark; the pulse is faster than natural, and has a heavy 
beat. After a few days the whites of the eyes and the tongue 
turn yellow, there is tenderness on the right side over the 
liver when it is pressed upon, and sometimes there is lame- 
ness in the oif shoulder. 

More frequently the yellows do not show very decided 
symptoms. The eyes are of a dirty yellow color, the appe- 



L'u-er Diseases. 147 

tite irregular, the animal spiritless, and in a generally un- 
thrifty condition. The bowels are constipated, and tlicre is 
some slight feverishness, the thermometer in the rectum show- 
ino- about 101° degrees; the pulse is rather faster than na- 
tural. 

Treatment. — The first step is to change the habits of the 
animal, by giving him difPereot and laxative food of a plain" 
character, plenty of cool, fresh air, and as he improves mod- 
erate and abundant exercise. Internally he may take : — 

No. 140. Iodide of potassium, 2 oz. 

Liquor potassive, 1 pint. 

Tv/o tablespoonfuls night and morning in a pint of water. (Chawncr.) 

Or the following, recommended by Prof. Gamgec; — 

No. 141. Oil of turpentine, ■] oz. 

Muriatic acid (diluted), 1 drachm. 

Powdered ginger, 2 drachms. 

Mix in a decoction of oak bark, and give every two days. 

Mercurials have long had a reputation in torpidity and 
congestion of the liver, and if used with moderation, and not 
continued long enough to salivate, there is no doubt of their 
usefulness. Proper formulas are : — 

No. 142. Calomel, 30 gr. 

Aloes, powdered, 1 drachm. 

Soap, 2 drachms. 

Ehubarb, powdered, 4 drachms. 

Mix with syrup to make a ball, and give one twice a day until it 
purges moderately 

No. 143. Calomel, 1 drachm. 

Aloes, 2 drachms. 

Mix with soap to a ball, and give one night and morning until it acti« 
on the bowels. 

Many prefer to give saline purges. These are nuich t(j be 
preferred in the ox and cow, but as before stated, they act 
in an uncertain manner on the horse, sometimes purging vio- 
lently, sometimes having no effect. For horses the following 
is the best manner of givinfi; salines for the vellows : — 



148 Diseases of the Horse, 

Ko. 144. Sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt), 
Sulphate of soda (Glauber salt), 
Coniiuon salt, each 1 lb. 

Kssence of ginger, 1 oz. 

W\x these in a gallon of warm water and give about a pint once, twice 
or three times a dav, until gentle and etiectual purgation is estab- 
lished. 

For cattle, the following similar mixture is recommended 
by Mr. Dun :— 

No. 145. Sulphate of magnesia, 

Common salt, each l lb. 

Powdered ginger, 2 oz. 

lilix in two quarts of water, and repeat daily until free evacuation is 
obtained. 

Often for a torpid liver, dullness and general '"bilious- 
ness " nothing succeeds so well as to begin with a brisk purge 
of aloes or salts, and follow it np by giving daily for a week 
the following : — 

Xo. 146. Peruvian bark, 1 oz. 

Powdered nux vomica, 1 drachm. 

Mix into a ball with meal and molasses and give every morning. 

INTESTINAL WORMS. 

In the horse two kinds of intestinal worms are found (be- 
sides the l)ot worm, which is a temporary resident only and 
will be described elsewhere). They both belong to the genus 
ascarls, and are known as the round worm, which dwells in 
tlie intestines proper, and the thread worm which lives almost 
exclusively in the rectum. Theformer is not unlike the com- 
mon earthworm in size ; the latter is much smaller, and re- 
sembles in size and color a ])iece of white thread an inch or 
so long. 

Symptoms. — These are not very distinctly pronounced. 
The coat is rough, the appetite irregular or craving, there is 
often itching about the anus, evinced by the desire to rub the 
hind quarters against walls, and there may be some emacia- 
tion. 



Worm 3Ie<licine8. 149 

When M'orms are suspected, it is advisable to g:ive a purge 
and watch the feces. Should any parasites of either kind be 
found, it is ap[)ropriate to commence specific treatment. 

Treatment.— As a \-erniifug-e for the ] torse, Mr. Dun re- 
commends :— 

No. 1 17. Calomel, 

Oil of mak' fern, 

Aloes, eacli 1 drachm. 

Ginger, 4' drachms. 

Make into a ball with linseed meal and molasses. 

Or, 

No. 148. Oil of turpentine, 2 oz. 

Oil of m.ale fern^ 1 drachm. 

Linseed oil, ^ pint. 

Give after a purge and on an empty stomach. Follow it with a few 
daily doses of sulphate of copper. 

Mr. Walsh believes tliat the most effectual of all vermi- 
fuges in the horse is tartar emetic. He prescribes it as fol- 
lows : — 

No. 149. Tartar emetic, 1 drachm. 

Powdered ginger, ^ drachm. 

Make into a ball with linseed meal. Give one every morning for a 
week on an empty stomach, and then follow with a purge of aloes. 

After this he alh)\vs the horse to rest a week and then re- 
peats the above, following the physic with a drachm of pow- 
dered sulphate of iron daily in the feed. 

For thread worms the treatment should be by injections up 

the rectum. Of these we can select one of the foliowino-, all 

of them being destructive to the worms : — 

No. 150. Oil of turpentine, 2 drachms. 

Linseed oil, 1 pint. 

Use every morning for a week. 

No. 151. Common salt, i oz. 

(!arbolic acid, I drachm. 

^Vater, 1 pint. 
Use every other day for a week. 

A strong decoction of tansy, of wormwood or of td most any 



150 Di^ecu^cs' of tin' lIor.se. 

vegetal)le bitter will also dislodge the worms, l^obaeoo tea 
is efficient, but dangerous. 

Whatever injection is used it should l)e aided l^v a purga- 
tive dose, the best of which is : — • 

Xo. l'J"2. Sulphate of iron, 1 o;^. 

Aloes. 4 oz. 

Mix for a ball. 

^Viid also by cleanliness and smearing the anus witli mer- 
curial ointment, to kill the eggs of the Avorms. 

THE BOTS. 

Definition. — A diseased condition of the horse or ox pro- 
duced by the irritation of the bot-fly or gad-fly, Oestrus, 
through its attacks ou the skin and the presence of its larva? 
in the intestines. 

Causes, — The common gad-fly of the horse attacks him 
late in the summer, not for the purpose of living on his 
blood, but in oi'der to deposit its eggs on his hair, and especi- 
ally the hair of those parts of the body which the horse can 
reach with his mouth. When he licks his coat, the moisture 
and warmth of the saliva aid in hatching the eggs, and the 
small maggots within them are transferred to the mouth and 
next to the stomach and bowels of the horse, where they 
firmly fasten themselves by strong liooks with which their 
heads are provided. After attaining a certain period of 
growth they loosen their hold, are swept away with the feces 
and deposited on the ground, which they enter and then 
undergo the necessary transformations to become the perfect 
fly. In tlie form of bot-worm they usually pass the fall and 
winter in the horse's body, about eight months in all. 

Symptoms. — Very many symptoms are attributed to the 
bots, and that occasionally, especially in underfed horses, 
they cause great general and local irritation, there is no 



Treatment of the Bot^. 151 

<loul>t. But it is not possible to point out any one single 
symptom \vhieh positively proves their presence. 

They lead at times to colic, indigestion, irritation of the 
anu~, and also to staggers, fits or convulsions, Avhich, if they 
o;'i'ur in winter without other assignable reason, in a horse 
somewliat out of conditi( n, miy fairly be laid to the charge 
of the bots. But probaLly in most instances, these parasites 
do no harm. 

Treatment. — The preventive treatment is by cutting the 
hair close in those parts of the body Avhich the gad-fly 
selects, and keeping it smeared in the late summer and early 
autumn with a tar or turpentine ointment. Internally, give 
a handful of fresh unbleached wood ashes once or twice a 
week in the feed. 

To remove the bots wlien once lodged in the intestines, 
the following should be given on an empty stomach every 
morning, for three or four days: — 

No. l'>?). Powdered aloes, 

I'owdered assafiietida, of each \ oz. 

^lix in liot water, and when cold add 

Oil of tnrpentine, 

Sulphuric ether, ofeat'h 1 oz. 

Give in gruel and linseed tea as a drench. 

This same is also a useful prescription for destroying tape- 
worm and other worms in horses. 

Prof. Gamgee's prescription for bots, is : — 

No. 154. Powdered assafcetida, 2 drachms. 

Powdered savin. 

Calomel, of each 1 '. drachms. 

Oil of male shield fern, oO dro[)s. 

Give as a ball, made up with molasses and linseed, at night, and fol- 
low with an aloes purge the next morning. 

Still another plan is to give for three or four mornings a 
quarter of an oiuice of sulphate of coj)per, mtide into a ball, 
and follow with a purgative dose of aloes, repeating this 
mfidication after a week's interval. 



152 Discane.i of t/nj Horse. 

CHAPTER IV. 

DISEASES OF THE HEART, RLOOD-YESSELS AND 
ABSORBENTS. 

Palpitation — Violent Heart Beat — Thumps. 
Enlargement or Hypertrophy of the Heart. 
Fattij Degeneration of the Heart. 
Aneurista — Enlargement of the Arteries. 
Injiamniation of the Jugular ^^ein — Phlebitis. 
Liflamniation of the Absorbent Vessels — Lymphangitis — Weed 
— ^^hot of Grease. 

PALPITATION— VIOLENT HEAST BEAT— TIIUMPS. 

Definition. — .V sudden, violent, convulsive beating of tlie 
heart, A\'liich may or may not be connected with some disease 
of the valves or sub/Stance of the organ. 

CauSGS. — In the horse, this is most frequently seen in 
pampered, highly fed animals, or in those which have very 
irregular and violent exercise. Many horses when frightened 
or excited suffer from excessive heart beat, which to some 
extent lessens their capacity for work. If the palpitations 
are frequent and persistent, they indicate some serious dis- 
ease of the heart. Indigestion and many blood diseases are 
accompanied by palpitations. 

Symptoms. — The chief symjitom is the increased violence 
of the heart's action. It can be readily felt, seen and heard. 
The pulse is irregular or intermittent. When owing to ner- 
vousness and temporary causes, this is usually visible in the 
excited eye, the rapid breathing, and in the quick diminution 
of the palpitation. But where there are not such signs of 
temporary excitement, the case is more serious as signifying 
organic disease of the heart, which is not curable. 



Palpitation of the Ilearf. loo 

Treatment. — Careful avoidance of sudden excMteniont and 
ovei'-exoi'tiou are to be looked to in tlie first place. Full 
doses of digitalis, say | drachm of the powdered leaves, niav 
be given twice a day in the food for several weeks. Indi- 
gestion and constipation must be prevented by appropriate 
treatment. 

Frequently the digitalis may be combined with salines 
with advantage, as: — 

N). 1")"). Powdered digitalis leaves, "0 grains. 

Ciilorate of potash, ^l oz. 

0/', nitrate of potash, 1 oz. 
To be given once a day. 

When the palpitation is associated with increased size of 
the heart, antl a full and strong pulse, it is better to use acon- 
ite. 

No. I-dC). Tincture of aconite root, 20 drops. 

This amount may be used in the above prescription instead of the pot- 
ash, (H- dropped in the drinking water twice a day. 

Sometimes it is well, as Mr. Dun suggests, to begin with 
the aconite and when the force at the heart is reduced, to 
substitute for it the digitalis. 

Another useful agent is belladonna. It may often, es- 
pecially in cases where there is general debilit}-, be advan- 
tageously given with nux vomica, as : — 

No. 157. E.Ktract of belladonna, 1 drachm. 

Powdered nux vomica, ^ drachm. 

Mix witli liquorice powdered and molasses into a ball, and give once 
or twice a day for a considerable time. 

ENLAEGEMENT OR HYPERTROPHY OF THE HEART. 

Causes. — Long continued overwork, constant indigestion, 
and diseases of the valves of the arteries lead to a growth of 
the heart much beyond its ordinary size, which should be 
considered an unsoundness. It also accompanies broken 
Avind and other impedimei.ts of free breathing. 



154 Diseases of the JTorse. 

S3finptoms. — There is more or less persistent palpitation, 
and the sounds of the heart are niueh louder than in health. 
Slight exertion increases these symptoms in a marked manner. 
The breathing is often hurried. 

Treatment. — This condition is best comlxited by a moder- 
ate diet, and freedom from excitement, overwork and sudden 
exertion. Internally, the most eifective remedy is aconite. 
This must be given in twenty or thirty drop doses (of the 
tincture of the root) twice a day, for a considerable time. 
When tlie enlargement is connected with broken wind or any 
similar impediment to the breathing, Prof. Williams recom- 
mends the prolonged use of small doses of arsenic, say three 
to five grains twice daily, in the food. 

In hard worked aad aged horses, hypertrophy of the left 
side of the heart is quite common. It can very generally be 
relieved by commencing the treatment W'itli a few doses of 
aconite and tlien continuing with digitalis, as recommended 
under palpitation (p. 153). 

FATTY DEGENEEATION OF THE HEART. 

Definition. — A change of the muscular substance of the 
heart to tat, thus weakening the strength of the organ and 
leading to rupture of its tissues. 

Causes. — This is the most common change which takes 
place in the hearts of horses. It is generally due to advanc- 
ing age, to high living and lack of exercise. It is also pro- 
duced by other diseases, as purpura and scarlet fever. 

Symptoms. — There is a gradually increasing debility of 
the circulation, as shown by the weak and irregular pulse, 
and the lessening of the sounds of the heart. The legs 
swell and become dropsical, and the horse gives out sooner 
Avlien at work. The appetite becomes capricious, the lining 
membrane of the mouth and nose assumes a rusty red appear- 



Heart Diseases. 155 

ancc, and there is a want of eorrespondence between the beat 
of the heart and the stroke of tlie pulse. 

Treatment. — It is doubtful if any treatment Avill arrest 
the disease. Prof. Williams recommends for trial, chlorate 
of jiotash, say one ounce, twice daily, with attention to the 
general he^alth. 

ANEURISM— ENLAKGEMENT OF THE ARTERIES. 

Definition. — A dilatation or expansion of a part of an 
artery, with thinning and weakening of its coats, and tend- 
ing to burst into the surrounding tissue, thus forming a pul- 
sating tumor containing blood. 

Causes. — Generally aneurisms arise either from injuries, as 
a blow, a strain, a kick, a stab, or else from some change 
taking place in the coats of the artery, weakening it, as for 
example, fatty degeneration. This is most common in old 
Ijorses who show signs of heart disease. Certain worms in 
the arteries (the so-called Sclerostoma) may also produce them 
in the horse. 

S3rmptoms. — There is a visible tumor, which is soft and 
fluctuating to the feel, and which by steady pressure can be 
made to disappear or partly so, but reappears as soon as the 
pressure is removed. It is also felt to have a regular ]>ulsa- 
tion, like the beat of tlic heart. 

Treatment. — This is not very successful. If the tumor is 
where it can be readily reached, steady pressure upon it by a 
pad and firm bandage for several days, may be successful in 
causing its disappearance. Some surgeons cut down upon it, 
tie the artery above and below, and then open the sack and 
turn out its contents. 

The complaint constitutes an unsoundness, as it is generally 
a permanent injury to an animal. 



156 Di.scd-sc.-f of f/ic Ilon^e. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE JUGULAR VEIN— PHLEBITIS, 

This generally occurs as a consequence on opening the vein 
ibr bleeding, either because the surgeon has used a rusty or 
dirty lancet, or that the horse has rubbed and injured the 
vein after tlie operation. 

The inflaaiQiation may be confined to a small spot, or nxjv 
extend up and down the vein, whicli will feel like a liard 
cord underneath the skin of tlie neck, which will be hot and 
infiaaied to the touch, and evidently })ainful to the animal, 
especially on bending his neck. 

Treatment. — The best treatment for this complaint is the 
application of a smart cantharides blister along the course of 
the inflamed part. If abscesses have fornied, they nuist be 
opened and washed out with carbolic acid water (one ounce 
of carbolic acid to a pint of water), before the blister is 
applied. But after this is done, the blister should be applied 
as directed. 

Inflammation of this vein always ends by transforming it 
into an impervious cord, so the recommendation is made that 
horses which have suffered from it should not be turned out 
to grass, as the dependent position of the head in grazing 
and the insufficient channels for the return of the blood from 
the head, bring on dropsical ssvellings of the face, lips and 
nostrils. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE ABSORBENT VESSELS— LYMPE AN GITIS— 
WEED— SHOT OF GREASE. 

Definition. — By these various names is known a disease 
which commences by inflammation of the lymphatics, or ab- 
sorbent vessels of the hizid legs, tiie inflammation extending 
to the cellular tissue, becoming chronic, and producing per- 
manent efllisions and swelling of the limb. 

Causes. — Weed is generailv attributed to hiuh feedingand 



Tre<ifi,Ku{ of ]Vccd. 157 

insufficient exerci^^e ; or to over-feeding on green food, as fresh 
clover and rye grass; or to intestinal irritation of various 
kinds. Large coarse horses Avith thick legs are particularly 
subject to it. 

Symptoms. — The attack is often preceded by disorders of 
the stomach, as colic, constipation, loss of appetite and exces- 
sive thirst. Sometimes chill and shivering usher it in. The 
first local indication is observed in one of the hind leors, ffcn- 
erally the left. It is favored and held from the ground. On 
examining it, it is found swollen on its inner surface, the 
swelling sometimes extending from the body to the foot. 
There is heat of surface, tenderness to the touch, and some- 
times the swollen glands can be felt like cords or lumps un- 
derneath the skin. The respirations and pulse are twice as 
fast as in health, the animal shows suffering in his face, and 
frequently turns his head to look at the affected limb. His 
nostrils ai'e dilated, and perspiration rolls from his side. The 
swelling increases until abscesses form, which will break in- 
ternally and run along the limb unless freely lanced. 

Horses that have once been attacked by weed are liable to 
a recurrence of the malady, time after time, until the limb 
assumes permanently an enlarged and distended condition, 
injuring both their appearance and their usefulness. 

Treatment. — When seen in the early stages, when chill 

and shivering are prominent, the animal should be warmly 

clothed, and a moderate jmrge given, as : — 

No. 158. Powdered aloes, 4 drachms. 

Calomel, 1 drachm. 

Mix and give at one dose in a ball. 

Should the chill continue. Prof. W illiams reconniiends the 
following as a powerful stimulant to the skin, inducing a 
general warmth over the whole surface of the body : 

No. 159. Tincture of arnica, 1 to 2 oz. 

For one dose, mixed with warm water. 



158 Diseases of fhc TrIo):s-e. 

In the second or hot stage, bleeding is often performed, but 
it does no good and often is an injury. It is better treatment 
to foment the limb well with cloths wrung out in hot water, 
to keep the bowels loose, and give as a drink an ounce of 
saltpetre in a gallon of water two or three times a day. As 
soon as abscesses form, they must be freely opened with a 
sharp knife and dressed with cloths wrung out Avith carbolic 
acid water (an ounce of acid to the pint). 

In the condition called " thick leg," which results from 
numerous attacks of weed, some veterinarians give large doses 
of veratrum viride. But this only succeeds where the swel- 
ling is largely dropsical and not in true weed. This is best 
managed by repeated rubbings with iodine ointment, by 
moderate diuretics and by alteratives, as : — 

No. IGO. Powdered resin, 

Nil re, eacli i oz. 

Oil of juniper, 10 drops. 

Mix for a ball and give once a dav. 

Or with a tonic added : — 

No. 1(31. Sulphate of iron, 2 drachms. 

Cream of tartar, 
Flour of sulphur, each I oz. 

This in a ball or drench twice a day. 
A stimulating mercurial ointment appropriate in such easels 

is : — 

No. 1G2. Red iodide of merourv, 1 drachm. 

Lard, " 2 o/,. 

A piece the size of a walnut to be rubbed iutu the .swellings every day. 



Khhu't/ D'lseaa&i. loO 

CHAPTER V. 

DISEASES OF THK KIDNEYS, 15LADDEK AND 8EX ORCJANS. 

Inflammation of the Kidneys. 

liiflainniation of the Bladder. 

fSlaiie in the BhuMer — Gravel. 

lietcntion or Suppression of TJrine — Strangury — Dijfictdf or 
Painful Staleing. 

I) iabetes — Profuse Staking. 

Black Wafer in Horses — Hcematuria — Azoturia. 

Diseases of the Sex Organs; Contraction of the Sheaf h; 
External Inflammation of the Yard ; Internal Inflamma- 
tion of the Yard; Inflammation of the Vagina. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 

This is a rare disease in the lower animals, being much 
less common than is usually supposed. 

Causes. — It occasionally occurs from l)lows and strains ; 
also from the irritation of gravel and kidiuy stones ; and 
most frequently from the injudicious nse of cantharides, tur- 
pentine and croton oil, Avhicli dnigs have an irritating effect 
on the kidneys, to which some animals are very sensitive. 
Cold and wet are also causes. 

Symptoms. — There is considerable fever with colicky 
pains ; a hard freqnent pulse, rapid breathing and incien.^ed 
thirst. The mouth is hot and the bowels constipated. There 
Is generally a stiffness in the movements, with tenderness of 
the loins. The animal arches Kis back and walks with a 
.straddling gait. With this there is a scanty secretion jr a 
total suppression of the urine. The animal makes frequent 
efforts to stale, but succeeds in passing but a few drops of 
dark and reddisli water. 



160 2)/.src/.s'r,s' of the JTorsr. 

Should the disease advance and this suppression continue^, 
for several days, the horse shows signs of intoxication, loses 
the control of his movements, or repeats the same movement 
over and over again ; and death takes place from the Ijlood 
poisoning. 

Treatment. — If the animal is seen early and is strong 
and full blooded, a free bleeding at the outset will be of 
much service. This should be followed up by an active 
cathartic (for instance. No. 158), which may be aided and 
followed ^vith advantage by repeated injections of tepid 
Avater. The loins should be Mrapped in woollen cloths and 
kept fomented with warm digitalis tea, made by stirring a 
handful of the leaves into a bucket of Ijoiling water. This 
remedy is highly recommended by Prof. Williams, in cases 
Avith obstinate suppression of urine. An excellent plan of 
fomenting in such cases is by a sheep skin wrung out of hot 
Avater or hot digitalis tea {p. 56), 

Moderate diuretics are called for, but A'iolent and irritating 

ones Avill be A'ery hurtful. AVe may use: — 

No. 1(13. Sweet spirits of nitre, 

Solution of acetate of ammonia, eacli 3 oz. 
Give in a (jaart of linseed tea or mucilage of slippery olm bark. 

Or, 

No. 1G4. Acetate of potash, 2 oz. 

Powdered camphor, 2 drachms. 

Hub the camphor with the yolks of two eggs, and mix this and the 

potash with two quarts cf slippery elm mucilage, and give in two 

doses three hours apart. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 

Causes. — This affection almost never attacks the lower 
animals, except from external violence or from the adminis- 
tration of irritating medicines, as croton oil or cautharides. 

Symptoms. — Frequent passing of cloudy urine, the act 
being performed with CA'ident pain and difficulty; fever and 



Diseases of the Bladder. 161 

tenderness on pressure over the bladder; frequently scouring 
Avith soft, bloody and fetid feces. 

Treatment, — This should be by full doses of opiuiu or 
morphia, the use of linseed tea, milk and whites of eggs 
beaten up with water as drinks. Belladonna is also useful : — 

Ko. 165. Extract of belladonna, 1 draolim. 

Sweet spirits of nitre, 1 oz. 

Give in a drench with a quart of cold linseed tea. 

The following is an old and standard remedy: — 

No. 166. Solution of potash, 1 cz. 

Extract of hyocyamus, 1 drachm. 

Give as above, and repeat two or three times a day. 

STONE IN THE BLADDES— GRAVEL. 

Stone in the bladder and gravel are found in stallions, 
geldings and mares, as well as in the ox and cow. In these 
animals the hard concretions usually consist of carbonate of 
lime. 

Causes. — Horses which from the nature of their work are 
compelled to hold their urine many hours at a time, as for 
instance hunters, are most liable to stone. The food and the 
water also have much to do with it. Some clovers, for ex- 
ample, form a large quantity of urine salts, and tend to the 
deposit of gravel; while hard water, which contains carbon- 
ate of lime in solution, predisposes to its accretion in the 
bladder. 

Symptoms. — An early sign is some stiffness of motion 
in the hind limbs; unusual switching of tlie tail; a frequent 
desire to stale exhi1)ited by the animal stretching himself 
out and drawing his yard, but passing little or no water.. 
At other times the water flows with apparent case for awliilc,, 
but suddenly stops, and the further attempts of the animal 
to empty his bladder are in vain. He will continue stretched 

11 



162 Diseases of the Horse. 

out for some time; and may groan, kit-k at his belly, and 
even lie down on accout of the pain. 

When these sym))toms are observed, the attendant should 
"feel for the stone," This is to be done as follows: The 
reetuni should be emptied by an injection of warm water, 
immediately after the horse has emptied his bladder. The 
hand of the operator is then to be well oiled and introduced 
into the rectum, and the bladder detected and examined. 
This can readily be done without the risk of any injury to 
the animal, and with the almost positive certainty of discov- 
ering the stone if it is there. 

Treatment. — In the mare, even a large stone can be re- 
moved by dilating the urethra, the orifice of which is about 
four inches inside the vagina, and then introducing a forceps. 

In the gelding or stallion, the surgeon has to extract it by 
the oi^cration of "cutting for stone." It is not necessary to 
describe the steps of these manoeuvres, as they require special 
instruments and a knowledge of anatomy, which only belong 
to a professional man. 

The preventive measures are suggested by what has been 
said above about the causes of the complaint, 

EETENTION OH SUPPEESSION OF TJEINE—STEANGURY— DIFFICULT 
OR PAINFUL STALEING. 

AVlien it is observed that a horse stales with difficulty or 
})ain, the cause of this condition should be carefully inquired 
into, as it may be of a serious nature, requiring prompt at- 
tention to save the animal's life. 

It may arise from 

1. Palsy of the bladder, following an injury, meningitis, 
lockjaw, staggers, severe colic or other acute disease. 

2. Disease of the parts, as spasm or inflammation of the 
neck of the bladder, stricture of the urethra, enlargement of 



Difficult fStale'mg. 163 

the prostate gland in old male horses, cancer, stone in the 
bladder, accumulation of dirt in the sheath and excessive 
constipation. 

3. Irritating drugs, especially cantharides and turpentine, 
used carclessl}^, or sometimes \vhen cautiously used in horses 
of a peculiar sensitiveness to their influence. This form is 
called "strangury," and is characterized by the frequent 
efforts to stale, but the passage of only a few drops at a time. 

Treatment. — "W^hen it appears that the suppressioii is ow- 
ing to palsy, the ui-iiie nnist be drawn off Mith a catheter 
several times a day, and the treatment recommended under 
paralysis i)rompay resorted to, especially the injection of 
strychnine under the skin. 

If it is due to inflammation of the neck of the bladder, as 
indicated by the heat, swelling and tenderness of the part, 
and the general feverish symptoms, general bleeding may be 
resorted to, and injections of warm water containing one 
drachm of extract of belladonna to the quart must be thrown 
repeatedly up the rectum, or, in mares, up the vagina. Full 
doses of opium may be given to relieve pain. 

Spasm of the neck of the bladder may be overcome by the 
use of the same injection. 

Accunuilatlon of hardened feces in the rectum requires fre- 
quent and full injections of soap and water, supplemented, if 
necessary, by back-raking the animal. Cancer, stone and 
-enlargement of the prostate are practically incurable, and a 
horse so affected might as well be kille(h 

If due to general Aveakness of the bladder, the following 
stimulant may be given : — ■ 

No. 167. Powdered cantharides, 20 grains. 

Powdeix'd digitalis, l drachm. 

Mix with soap into a ball. 

Of a more soothing and gentle action is this one : — 
Xo. 168. Powdered camphor, 2 draclims. 

Saltpetre, ^ oz. 

Mix into a hall. 



164 Disease.^ of the Horse. 

In strar.giiiy from cantharide.s or turpentine, the loins are 
to be fomented with the sheep skin wrung out in hot water, 
the vagina or rectum filled Avith an injection of starch and 
laudanum or belladonna (Nos. 138, 139), and internally the 
following drench jjrescribed : — 

No. 1G9. Powdered camphor, 1 ihaclim. 

Powdered opium, 2 drachms. 

Mix in a quart of linseed tea or slippery elm water, and repeat every 
hour until relieved. 

DIABETES— PROFUSE STALEING. 

Definition. — A disease characterized by great thirst, and 
excessive discharge of urine, progressing toward loss of flesh, 
weakness, and exhaustion, sometimes leading to farcy, glan- 
ders, and a general break down of the system. 

Causes. — By some writers it is attributed to faulty feeding 
of various kinds, or to the use of drugs which over-stimu- 
late and irritate tlie kidneys. It is believed that hay which 
has been heated in curing or is musty, damp and mouldy 
oats, and half spoiled bran are liable to bring it on. Habit- 
ual feeding on boiled food is a common cause, and sometimes 
it ap]iears to arise from some contagious poison, as M'hen 
glanders is jirevalent, horses are particularly liable to it. 

Symptoms. — The main ones are the inordinate thirst and 
the corresponding unusual staleing. The appetite generally 
fails, the skin becomes harsh and dry, and the animal loses 
flesh and strength. The pulse is weak, sometimes slower 
sometimes faster than natural. The horse shows a depraved 
appetite, licking tiie walls and floor of his stall. The urine 
discharged is as clear as water, and with little or no odor. 
It often amounts in quantity to 20 to 40 pints daily. 

Treatment. — The first attention will be to the diet, Avhich 
should be completely changed. Then a mild laxative may 



Profuse Staleinf/. 165 

be given, say a pint of linseed oil, and a tablespoonful or two 
of powdered chalk or baking soda be mixed with the pail of 
driidv. For the cure we rely on iodine, which was first dis- 
covered by the English veterinarian, Professor Dick, to be 
almost a specific in this disease. A convenient formula is: 

No. 170. Iodine, 20 grains. 

Iodide of potassium, 1 drachm. 

Carbonate of soda, 4 drachms. 

This dose to be given three times a day in water. 

Or, as recommended by Mr. Chawner, we may give : — 

No. 171. Fowler's solution of arsenic, 1 oz. 

This amount in a pint of water morning and evening. 

The formida jjreferred by Mr. Finlay Dun is : — 

No. 172. Iodine, }> drachm. 

Sulphate of iron, 2 drachms. 

Powdered gentian, ', oz. 

Make into a ball with molasses, syrup or meal and water. 

This dose is to be given once, or in bad cases, twice daily; 
rarely are more than si.x doses required to effect a perfect 
cure. 

Other receipts of service in various instances are : — 

No. 173. loilide of potash, 6 drachms. 

Alum, powdered, .] oz. 

Mix into twelve balls, and give one morning and evening. 

No. 174. Creasote, i drachm. 

Vinegar, 3 oz. 

Give daily in a pint of water. 

BLACK WATER OF HORSES -H.1:MATURI A— AZOTURI A. 

Definitiou. — A disease of the general system, characterized 
by a large excess of urea in the blood, by urine of a dark 
cofPee color, and by spasms of the muscles of the hind (juar- 
ters. 

This is not a common disease, and its exact nature is as yet 
open to question. It attacks both horses and mares, but es- 



IGG Diseu,'<e.s of the Ho inc. 

peciiilly the latter during' the period of heat. The coh^r of 
the urine was supposed by Prof. Ganigee to be owing to 
blood; but Prof. Williams found no bloo'l corpuscles what- 
ever in the urine, but niti'ate of urea and hippuric acid in 
excess. Mr. Haycock called it the ''hysteria of mares," but 
it is by no means confined to the female sex. 

Causes, — Its exciting causes are the period of heat ; sud- 
den exertion after a long rest in the stable ; congestion and 
torpidity of the lungs and liver. 

Symptoms, — The attack begins suddenly. The horse is 
unusually restless, sweats profusely, and inclines to lie down. 
Shortly a loss of [)ower in the hind limbs is observed, their 
larger muscles are seized with violent spasms, sometimes in- 
volving the shouklers. The pulse and respiration are very 
rapid. There is soon entire paralysis or great stiffening of 
the hind quarters. With these symptoms, large quantities 
of a dark urine, looking like coffee, are ejected. The breath- 
ing grows difficult, symptoms of general spasms resembling 
tetanus supervene, and the horse dies. 

Sometimes it attacks several horses in the same stable, but 
there is nothing whatever contagious in it. The duration of 
the disease is brief, three or four days either destroying the 
animal or the symptoms passing off. 

Treatment. — The animal should be placed in a large sta- 
ble with abundant bedding ; if he lies down paralyzed, he is 
to be turned over several times a day. 

The first step is to obtain a free action of the Ixjwels. For 
this purpose the following, which also acts on the kklneys, is 
appropriate : — 

No. 17". Powdered aloes, 4 (o H draclinis. 

Cream of tartar, 1 to 2 oz. 

]\[ix in a pint or two of warm water. 

This shoidd be repeated if it docs not act in five to six 
hours. Me-anwhile an active clyster is to be thrown up the 



Diseases of thr tSc.v (>r(/((itf<. 107 

re.-'tam, as a quart of soap and water witli four (tuut';vs of 
oil of turpentine. Cold water should be allowed in any 
(prantity. 

No stimulants and no sedatives are to be administered, no 
blisters, firing or bleeding. 

When tlie violence of the disease is ovenx^nie, it requires 
some persuasion to get the horse on his legs. He will con- 
tinue to lie when it is quite possible for him to stand, and 
this must be prevented by lifting him on his feet, briskly 
rubbing the legs, and if need be, supporting him by the 
slings. Now is the time when a nerve and general tonie is 
reipiired, and we would select this one : — 

No. 17t). Sulphate of iron, 2 .Irachras. 

Powdered nux vomicn, 1 drachm. 

Give as a ball three times day. 

Complete rest, a rather low and plain diet, and abundance 
of air in a yard or field are required for several weeks, as re- 
lapses occasionally occur from too early use. 

DISEASES OF THE SEX ORGANS. 

The sex organs in the horse arc subject to contagious as 
well as occasional diseases. • It has been definitely shown 
that a disease identical with syphilis is i)ropagated by copu- 
lation. IMany instances are recorded on the continent of 
Europe, but we have heard of none in this country ; so we 
shall not enter into its description, but confine ourselves to 
the disorders of common occurrence. 

1. Contractions of tJie /Sheath. 

These are generally contractions, either in front of the 
yard, thus impeding the escape of the urine, or behind its 
extremity, so that the yard cannot be withdrawn into the 
sheath (phimosis and para-phi mosis). 



168 Dheases of the Horse. 

Ill botli these cases the free use of cold water on the sheath 
will diminish any inliammation present ; and then by wip- 
ing dry and oiling the parts well, careful manipulation will 
overcome the difficulty. When this fails, an iiK'i.-.ion may 
be made to relieve the constriction. The bleeding thus caused 
will be a benefit. 

When the paraphimosis is the result of paralysis, as is 
sometimes seen in old geldings, the case is incurable, and the 
only resort is amputation of the organ. 

2. External Infiaianiatinn of the Yard. 

Inflanunation of the end of the yard is very common, 
being brought on by the presence of irritating substances, as 
the natural secretions when decomposed, or some foreign 
body. 

At first there is a slight discharge of whitish or yellowish 
matter, which is followed by ulcers on the yard and sheath, 
usually emitting a decidedly unpleasant peculiar odor. They 
may fill up with proud flesh and cause great pain and un- 
sightly swelling. 

Proper attention will always prevent this trouble. And 
when it is present, we must give it careful attention, for it is 
no easy matter to bring about cure Mdien in a neglected state. 

The parts nuist first of all be well cleansed, by syringing 
with warm water and soap, or by a weak carbolic acid solu- 
tion (one drachm to a quart of warm water). The following 
solution should then be wrapped on the parts, or syringed 
into the sheath : — 

Ko. 177. Chlorate of zinc, 2 drachms. 

Water, 1 pint. 

This is a powerful caustic solution, and its application will 
be severely painful. But milder ones will not prove effectual. 
It must be repeated every day until the granulations are 
1 ';luco<l and the part has taken on healthy action. 



Diseases of the Sex Organ--<. 169 

3 latcriint Injlami nation of the Yard. 

This occurs in the gelding as well as in the stallion : in the 
latter, generally from too frequent service ; in the former, from 
the use of cantharides, croton oil or turpentine, or from the 
presence of foreign bodies in the urethra. 

The symptoms are, a frequent desire to urinate, the act 
performed with difficulty; frequent extension of the organ; 
and a discharge of a whitish or yellowish matter from the 
urethra. 

The treatment is to foment the j)arts with hot water (the 
hot sheep skin), to administer a moderately brisk purge, and 
to give the animal freely of bi-carbonate of soda, an ounce in 
water several times a day. These means failing, an ulcer in 
the urethra may be suspected. The horse must then be qast, 
the parts inside the urethra examined, and any ulcerated 
surfaces touclied ^vith nitrate of silver, and injections of weak 
sulphate of zinc solutions, one-half to one drachm to the pint 
of water, to be made. 

4. Inflammation of the Vagina. 

This is a rare disease in the mare. When it occurs, it is 
usually due to violence of the stallion when serving; to diffi- 
cult labor; to the presence of cancers and ulcers; or to local 
violence, as by inserting a stick or cob into the vagina, an 
insensate piece of mischief not so rare as it ought to be. 

The inflammation shows itself by a swelling and tender- 
ness of the parts, and by a discharge of a watery or purulent 
matter. 

In the treatment the principal precaution to observe is not 
to irritate further the parts by strong injections. Linseed tea 
or slippery elm bark mucilage, made warm, and containing 
a drachm of sugar of lead to the pint, are the best injections 
which can be used in most cases. If the discharge is foul, 
sulphate of zinc may be used instead of the lead. 



170 DlseascJi of the Jlorse, 

CHAPTER Aa. 

DISEASES OF THE BLOOD, OR (lENEIlAL DISEASES. 

Glanders. 

Fare}/ — Bud Fare)/ — Bntion Fare)/. 

Charbon wi tJic Horse — Pnrp)ira Hemorrhagica. — Spotted 

Fever. 
Rheumatism. 

Strangles — Colt Distemper. 
Frysipelas — St. Ai)fho))j/\'< Fire. 
I)rop)sy — Aseites. 

GLANDERS. 

DeHllition. — A contagious and fatal disease, due to a poison 
taken into or generated in the system, which sliows its pre- 
sence bv a discharge fron\ the nostrils, and a degeneration 
more or less rapid of the lyinpliatic glands and ducts. The 
poison can be conveyed to man, in whom it I'roduces fatal 
illness. 

Causes. — The causes of this common and formidable dis- 
ease, apart from contagion, are usually said to include every- 
thing that exhausts and reduces the vital powers, such as bad 
feeding, over-work, neglect, foul air and filthy stables. It is 
also liable to be generated by putting horses into new stables 
Avhose walls are not dry ; and it is a frequent sequel of dia- 
betes, influenza^ the epizootic disease, and other exliausting 
complaints. 

As caused by contagion, it is very justly tlie most dreaded 
of all diseases of horses, as it is easily inoculated into the 
liuman species, and is just as incurable as in tlie horse. In 
tlie latter, however, inoculation is not necessary, as the poison 
is disseminated by more subtle means. Sometimes stables 



Glanders. 171 

which have liveried ghmdered liorses have been thoroughly 
cleansed, aired and whitewashed; yet a new and healthy set 
of" horses being placed in the stalls, one or more of them 
would be down M'ith the glanders in a few weeks. 

Symptoms. — Glanders occurs in two forms, the acute utuI 
the chronic. 

Acute glanders appears suddenly by prolonged chills and 
shiverings. As they pass oif a high fever sets in; the tem- 
])erature running up to 106 or 107 degrees. The pulse is 
feeble and rapid, the breathing quick, and the ap])ctite fails. 
The eyes are weak and watery, and the glands under the jaw 
are swollen. On examining the nostrils, their lining mem- 
brane is found to be swollen and of a dark coppery or red 
color, with patches of ragged ulceration here and there, from 
Mdiich drips a bloody and M^ateiy discharge. The swollen 
glands of the face and nock soon break and form aljscesses 
with a similar sanious pus coming from them. The animal 
rapidly weakens, the breathing becomes obstructed, the lungs 
become inflamed, and death ends the scene. 

Chronic glanders presents tliis same history in a much 
slower and apparently milder, but in reality none the loss fatal 
form. The general health may seem to be scarcely ariected. 
There will be a discharge, often from one nostril, usually the 
near one, of a thin, sticky fluid, which has not a very un- 
pleasant odor, sometimes no odor at all, and which dries and 
accumulates around the nasal opening. On feeling beneath 
the jaw, the swollen glands will be felt like a hard knot, 
which may, however, disappear for a tiuie to return again. 
The membrane of the nostril will prove to have a tawny, 
coppery or dull leaden hue. The eye of the affected side will 
be weak and watery. 

Usually the sym[)toms are more decided than this. The 
horse is off his food, his coat is unhealthy, he has a slight 
cough, and sweats on slight exertion. There is a discharge 



172 jyiseases of the IIorHc. 

of a starchy or gluey matter from one or botli nostrils, often 
tinocd with blood. The llniim- membrane of the nose is 
studded with small deep idcers, and between the ulcers cov- 
ered with unhealthy looking pimples. The eye of the aifected 
side is weak and watery. A distinct tumor can be felt below 
the jaw, sometimes forming an abscess discharging an un- 
healthy pus. If well taken care of, a horse may live in this 
condition for a year or two and do moderate work ; but he 
is liable at any time to be carried off by an acute attack of 
the disease, and he is constantly an object of great dauger, not 
only to other individuals of his own species, but to every 
person who couks near him. 

Between the time of receiving the contagion into the sys- 
tem and the appearance of the disease, there usually elapses 
in the acute form but three to six days ; while in the chronic 
form it may be two or three months. 

Treatment. — Some of the best authorities recommend that 
no treatment be attempted in glanders. It is considered 
more desirable for the animal and his attendants that he be 
killed as soon as the nature of the disease is recognized. A 
positive law to this eifect exists in England, and it might be 
well if it were adopted by all the States in this country. 

A vast number of remedies and receipts have been sug- 
gested and various cures have been reported. They should 
be accepted with hesitation, as it is quite likely that a nasal 
gleet of some kind was mistaken for glanders. We shall give 
several prescriptions which have had the most said in their 
favor, but our gc^neral advice is, as already given, to kill 
every glandcred horse as soon as he is determined to be so. 

Sulphate of copper antl arsenic have had the most said in 
their favor. They may be given alone or combined, as: — 



No. 178. Sulphate of Clipper, 
Peruvian baik, 


1 drachm, 
1 oz. 


Mix for a ball. 





Glanders and Farcy. 173 

No. 179. Sulphate of copper, 1 drachm. 

Arsenic, 8 grains. 

Mix with linseed meal and syrup to a ball. 

No. 180. Sulphate of copper, 1 drachm. 

Corrosive sublimate, 8 grains. 

Mix as above for a dose. 

No. 181. Syrup of the iodide of iron, ^ oz. 

To be given twice a day. 

This latter is certainly effectual in curing many obstinate 
nasal gleets which have been called glanders. 

Whatever medicine is used, a full and nutritious diet, 
moderate work, and a clean, well aired stable, with thorough 
disinfection are all indispensable to success. 

FAECY— BUD FARCY— BUTTON FAECY. 

Defilliticn. — A contagious and malignant disease, charac- 
terized by swelling and ulceration of tiie lymphatic glands 
beneath the skin, and believed to arise from the same blood 
poison which causes glanders. 

Causes. — The most common cause is direct inoculation of 
glanders or farcy poison ; but the infection may also be pro- 
pagated through the air ; and the disease may appear spon- 
taneously after exhausting disease or in old age. It is con- 
sidered certain that the same poison produces both glanders 
and farcy, and that the only difference in the diseases is in 
the part of the system attacked. 

Symptoms. — Farcy, like glanders, is divided into an acute 
and chronic form. 

In acute farcy the early signs are shiverings, fever, loss of 
appetite and swelling of the legs. The whole limb becomes 
enlarged, resembling that in weed (p. 157), but presenting 
an uneven surface, increasing and decreasing suddenly, and 
attended with pain and lameness. When the swelling lessens, 
the enlarged glands can be felt under the skin forming cords 



174 Jyisea-'ie.^ of the Hor.se. 

und fJinall rounded lumps, which hitter are the so-called " farcy 
buds." These in a little while point and burst through the 
skin, discharging an unhealthy pus. They are usually fVniiid 
in grouj)S, and are situated at some distance from the joints. 
Frequently the iuside of the thighs will be found to present 
hard and painful swellings ) the muscles of tlie neck may be 
hard and painful ; or the swelling may be in the side or in 
one leg ; thus leading perhaps to the suspicion of rheuma- 
tism. 

In chronic farcy, the principal difference is that the buds 
and hard cords connecting them are distinctly felt and are 
evidently tender and painful, but they rarely pass into ulcer- 
ation. The buds or buttons are arranged in groups about 
the imier and outer aspects of the thigh, forearm, flanks, neck 
and head. Sometimes they may be felt along the course of 
the jugular vein, presenting swollen, hard and irregular 
knots. 

Treatment. — A horse with acute farcy should be forth- 
with killed. He is as dangerous as one with glanders. The 
milder cases of chronic farcy otter some chance of a cure. 
The swellings may often be dispoi'sed by blistering them, or 
by rubbing them with ointment of the biniodide of mercury, 
or what is handier, with a stick of lunar caustic. If there 
are running sores, they must be frequently washed with a ten 
per cent, solution of carbolic acid. The strength must be 
supported by nourishing food and tonics. Prof. Williams 
recommends : — 

Xo. 182. Arsenic, ^ grains. 

Extract of nux vomica, 1 <lrachm. 

For a drench in a pint of water twice a day. 

He also speaks well of: — 

No. ISP). Sulphate of copper, 

Iodine, of each 1 drachm. 

Thi< amount in a pint of water twice (hiily. 



Treatment of Fare;/. 1 ' 5 

Cases of farcy and nasal gleet, with enlarged glands and 
a fetid discharge, are sometimes benefitted, according to Mr. 
Dun, by the following: — 

No. 1*4. Creasote, • 1 drachm. 

Sulplmric acid ('dilute), oO drops. 

■ Make into a b.Jl with linseed meal, and give every morning. 

For a dressing for farcy bnds, Mr. Dun recommends the 
ointment of iodide of mercury (No. 1G2). 

As a tonic ball in this disease, Mr. Gamgee uses this com- 
bination : — 

No. 18o. Sulphate of copper, 

v-Suipiiiite of zinc, each •' drachm. 

Aniseed, 3 drachms. 

Make into a ball with common mass, and give once a day. 

As ail ointment for dressing the buds, we may use 

No. 18(1. Corrosive sublimate, 1 drachm. 

Arsenic, -i drachm. 

Lard, 1 ^'■^■ 

This is a strong stimulant, and must be used in small (juantities and 
cautiously. 

A useful soothing application is : — 

No. 187. Bromide of potassium, 2 drachms. 

J.ard, 1 oz. 

Mix at gentle heat and rub on the buds. 

CHAKBON IN THE HORSE - PUKPURA HEMORRHAGICA — SPOTTED 

FEVER 

Definition. — A malignant epidemic fever, arising from 
blood poisoning, usually attacking old and debilitated sub- 
jects, characterized by deposits of dark red or purple color, 

passing into ulceration. 

The name j>;frpyra should not be applied to this disease, 
as it is widely different from that coniplaint as it ai>i)cars m 
the human subject. Professor Blaine calls it "malignant 
tvphus," and it certainly resembles thttt disease, as much as 
anv other in man. It is in all probability a i'onu of true 



17o Diseases of the Horse. 

charbonous or aiitliracose disease, but is i.iuch less fatal in 
horses than in cattle, sheep or swine, and presents various 
other marked differences. 

Causes. — Purpura is found in old and broken down ani- 
mals, and is especially apt to arise at tlic close of exhausting 
diseases, as pneumonia, influenza, the epizootic, catarrhal 
fever, etc. Its direct cause is nearly always from bad venti- 
lation, imperfect drainage, and neglect of sanitary precautions. 
When such precautions are properly taken, purpura is scarcely 
ever seen. The absorption of the products of decomposition 
into the body leads to a change in the blood, rendering it 
fluid, and destroying its vitality, so that the walls of the ves- 
sels soften and break down, and the blood flows into the sur- 
rounding tissues, causing the dark spots characteristic of the 
disease. 

Symptoms. — The animal is weak, languid and unwilling 
to move. On examining his mouth, spots of a dard red or 
mulberry color are visible on its lining membrane. The 
tongue has a peculiar dark ckiret color. Sometimes there is 
an oozing of blood from the nose and mouth, dark in color 
and fetid in odor. There is swelling of the legs, lips and 
other dependent parts, of a peculiar cliaractcr'; it extends 
perhaps the whole length of the limb, and ends at its upper 
border very abruptly, as if a string had been tied around the 
part. The swelling is painful, hot and hard. Around the 
hock and fetlock joints small vesicles or blisters about the size 
of a pea appear, which burst and discharge a scalding fluid ; and 
around the bend of the limbs cracks, and fissures are formed, 
from which an unhealthy purple colored discharge flows. 
Great swelling of the face, lips, nostrils and eyelids some- 
times occurs. The skin over the swelling may ulcerate, caus- 
ing unhealthy sores. 

The bowels are either constipated or there is diarrhoea. 
Colicky pains are apt to come on, and the feces to be mixed 



Purpura or Spotted Fever. 177 

with blood. The urine is dark colored and has a strong 
smell. 

The more severe symptoms are remittent in their charac- 
ter ; they may appear very threatening one day^ seem almost 
gone the next day, but return with the same or greater vio- 
lence. Therefore the physician should be cautious Low he 
pronounces the animal decidedly better. 

Treatment. — It is of first importance to remove the ani- 
mal to a clean, well drained, well ventilated stable. Purga- 
tives are dangerous and bleeding as good as fatal. What is 
wanted is to relieve the bowels when there is constipation or 
irritation by a free injection or by a moderate dose of oil ; and to 
administer something which will check the action of the poison 
on the system. The most successful of all drugs for this 
purpose is chlorate of potash, for the discovery of the appli- 
cation of which in this disease we have to thank Prof. Wil- 
liams. He gives half an ounce at a dose, and repeats it twice 
in the twenty -four hours. A larger dose must not be given, 
as it is liable to cause irritation of the bowels. Under this 
medicine the results are most satisfactory ; the swellings 
rapidly diminish, and restoration to health ensues, in the 
great majority of cases. 

The treatment preferred by Mr. Chawner is one to act on 
the kidneys and keep up the strength. Pie prescribes : — 

No. 188. Solution of acetate of ammonia, 2 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, 

Tincture of chloride of iron, each 1 oz. 
This amount, in a pint of gruel, three or four times a day. 

Or instead of this : — 

No, 189. Sulphate of iron, 

Powdered gentian, 

Powdered camphor, 

Nitrate of potash, each 2 oz. 

For one ball, to be given night and morning. 

The swollen jaarts may be bathed with vinegar and water, 

12 



178 Diseases of the Horse. 

and if the swelling becomes excessive, may be freely scarified 
with the lancet. 

The convalescence in this disease is often very prolonged, 
and the owner must make up his mind to do without the use 
of the animal many weeks if lie would see him recover to ad- 
vantage. As a valuable internal stimulant in this and simi- 
lar low fevers, Mr. Gamgee speaks highly of mustard : — 

No. 190. Powdered mustard seed, 
Powdered juniper berries, 
Flowers of sulpliur, each 6 oz. 

This to be added to a quarter peck of oat meal; and three or four table- 
spoonfuls given several times a day. 

The same authority has derived advantage from the min- 
eral acids in conditions of exhaustion, as — 

No. 191. Muriatic acid, 

Or sulphuric acid, of either 30 drops. 

Water, 1 oz. 

Give three times a day, in a pint of ale. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the joints, tendons, liga- 
ments or muscles, due to an unhealthy condition of the blood, 
accompanied by stiffness and lameness. The inflammation 
changes its seat from one part of the body to another, and 
very rarely passes into suppuration. 

Causes. — In animals it may occasionally arise, in weak and 
old subjects, from exposure to cold and damp, but usually fol- 
lows or accompanies catarrhs, colds, influenza or other disor- 
ders. It appears in some instances to be hereditary, and to 
arise from a natural predisposition. 

Symptoms. — The two forms of rheumatism are the acute 
and the chronic. 

Acute rheumatism, sometimes called rheumatic fever, be- 
gins with sudden lameness, with or without swelling of 
some particular joint. There are signs of fever, indicated by 



Treatment of Rbeumafisvi. 179 

dullness, quickened pulse, hot skin, often perspiring (but not 
Avith the sour smell noticed in the disease in man), and thirst. 
The appetite is poor, the bowels generally constipated, the 
urine high colored and scanty, v cry often the lameness 
will be in the joints on both sides of the body, Qviite fre- 
quently it rapidly changes its seat, passing from one joint to 
another and back again to its first seat. It is confined to no 
particular part, and may pass from the legs to the neck, caas- 
ing a stiffness of the neck, commonly known as " the chords," 
or " the cords ; " or to the back, when it is called " lumbago ; ' 
or to the heart, leading to inflammation of its envelope, or 
''pericarditis," always a dangerous complication. When 
in the joints, it produces a considerable swelling, soft and 
puffy, tender to the touch, and slow to disappear. 

Chronic rheumatism is not so liable to change its seat. It 
attacks a joint and brings about grave changes in its struc- 
ture, such as ulceration of the cartilage and increase of bony 
deposit around it. The lameness so produced is obstinate to 
treatment, and the tendency of the disease to return on the 
slightest exposure is very great. Fever is generally entirely 
absent in chronic rheumatism, and the general condition of 
the animal may remain quite good. 

Treatment. — In the treatment of acute rheumatism the 
most important discovery of modern times is the use of sali- 
cylic aeid. This, if given early and freely, and backed by 
proper nursing and care, will cut short nearly every case. 
The following is a proper formula : — 

No. 192. Salicylic acid, 

Bicarbonate of soda, each 1 oz. 

Mix in a pint of water or gruel, and give as a drench, three or four 
times a day. 

The body should be well wrapped, the stable kept at a 
moderate temperature, and if necessary, the slings should be 
applied. If there is much constipation it is usually custom- 



180 Diseases of the Horse. 

aiy to give a purge, but it is doubtful whether this does any 
good. Bleeding is of no benefit whatever. 

When the salicylic acid is not at hand, the next best re- 
medy is nitrate of potash (saltpetre). This may be freely 
administered, by dissolving two or three ounces daily in the 
water. Or it may be combined as recommended by Mr. 
Chawner, in the following prescription : — 

No. 193. Nitrate of potash, J oz. 

Powdered colchicum, 1 drachm. 

, Oil of turpentine, 1 oz. 

This to be mixed with linseed oil and given at one dose, night and 
morning. 

Blisters to the inflamed parts are very useful in reducing 
the swelling. 

Mr. Finlay Dun has relieved rheumatism in both horses 

and cattle by — 

No. 194. Calomel, 

Quinine, of each 20 grains. 

Give as a ball once a day. 

In the more chronic forms, the same writer recommends : — 

No. 195. Carbonate of potash, 

Nitrate of potash, each 1 oz. 

Iodide of potash, 2 drachms. 

Give in a pint or two of water. 

Where the horse is stiffened and partially paralyzed by re- 
peated attacks, but when there is no actual deformity of the 
joints, very great benefit may be occasionally obtained by 
giving— 

No. 196. Powdered mix vomica, 1 to 2 drachms. 
Gentian, ^ oz. 

Give night and morning, beginning with the smaller dose and increas- 
ing. The joints and muscles to be well rubbed with a stimulating 
liniment. 

The local treatment of rheumatic swellings and stiffening 
of the joints is by liniments and embrocations, firing and 
setons. 



Rheumatism. 181 

Of useful liniments we give the following : — 

No. 197. Oil of turpentine, 

Laudanum, 

Soap liniment, each 1 oz. . 

Tincture of capsicum, 1 drachm. 

This is a soothing and stimulating embrocation. 

No. ] 98. Solution of ammonia, 
Spirits of camphor, 
Olive oil, equal parts. 

Petroleum or kerosene, well rubbed in, is both often of 
great service, and some recommend giving kerosene by the 
mouth, in doses of two or three tablespoonfuls in a pint of 
gruel. 

Oue of the best of local applications in the form of an oint- 
ment is tlie oleate of mercury, made by heating oleic acid 
with red precipitate. It is remarkably penetrating, and not 
at all likelv to salivate. 



STRAITGLES-COLT DISTEMPES. 

Definition. — A disease of the system, accompanied by fever, 
generally attacking young horses, associated with swelling 
of the glands beneath the jaw, and sometimes elsewhere, 
with a tendency to suppuration. It has been called by Mr. 
George Armitage "specific adenitis." 

CauSGS. — The cause of strangles is not known. Veterin- 
arians are not even agreed as to whether it is contagious or 
not ; nor as to whether a horse can have it twice or not. 
The best authorities incline to the opinion that it is not con- 
tagious, and that some horses are liable to have it several 
times. Though generally appearing in horses from a few 
months to six years old, it is not confined to any age. It 
has at times been considered an epizootic influenza, but it dif- 
fers essentially from the disease we described as such oa 
page 109. 



182 Diseases of the Horse. 

Symptoms. — The attacks differ considerably in severity, 
the graver forms being called "bastard strangles." 

Usually it begins like a common cold. The animal is dull, 
has a slight cough and sore throat, loss of appetite and un- 
willingness to swallow. There is some running from the 
nose and mouth, a quickened pulse and rapid breathing. On 
feeling in the space within the lower jaw bone, a hot hud 
tender swelling will be noticed, sometimes on one side only, 
sometimes filling up the whole space. 

At other times, for weeks or months before there is any 
positive sign of disease, the animal is unthrifty, hide bound, 
dull, easily chilled, with a slight cough, and losing flesh. In 
this condition he is often said to be " breeding strangles," an 
opinion verified finally by the appearance of the characteris- 
tic swelling under the chin. 

A more alarming mode of onset is when the swelling is sud- 
den and great, filling up the mouth and bringing on those 
symptoms of strangulation from which the disease derives its 
name. There is great difficulty of breathing, accompanied 
by a loud blowing sound. The animal is in great distress, 
and unless promptly relieved is liable to die from suffocation. 

Any of these forms may terminate in bastard strangles, 
which is w^hen the disease passes into a typhoid condition, 
Yv^ith great exhaustion, extensive suppuration in various parts 
of the body, and exhausting discharges. 

Treatment. — In a light attack of strangles it is enough to 
give the animal good nursing, apply a large poultice or hot 
fomentations to the swollen glands, and put an ounce of salt- 
petre in the water pail, night and morning. 

If the tumor points and bursts, it may be poulticed and 
left to itself ; but if it seems slow to do this, and does not 
diminish, it is best to put on a fly blister, to " bring it to a 
head" promptly. It may then be opened with a lance. 

Where a horse is suspected of " breeding strangles," he 



Strangles. 183 

should be well stabled and fed on extra good nourishment, 
as this variety of disease is most apt to be followed by dan- 
gerous internal symptoms. Neither in it nor in any other 
form of the complaint should bleeding, purging or lowering 
medicines, like aconite, digitalis, veratrum or lobelia, be used. 
If tliere is danger of strangling, from the rapid growth of the 
swelling, we may try very hot fomentations and poultices to 
the throat, making the animal inhale steam, and opening the 
abscess freely as soon as it "points." But it will not do to 
waste time with these measures in desperate cases. There is 
then one only step to take, and that is to open the windpipe 
at once, by the operation know^n as " tracheotomy." This is 
to be performed in the following manner : — 

Have an assistant, elevate the horse's head and extend his 
nose so as to put the skin of tlie throat on the stretch ; then 
feel along the course of the windj)ipe for the jjart least covered 
with flesh and fat, and make a bold incision down its central 
line, about four inches long, through the skin and down to the 
rings of the windpipe. When this is done, introduce the 
point of a sharp-pointed knife between the upper exposed 
rings, and cutting downward, divide two or three of them 
completely across from above downward and in the middle 
line of the neck. Introduce the tube into this opening, and 
fasten its strings around the neck and to the mane. It should 
be kept in until the animal is able to breathe through the nos- 
trils, which can be readily ascertained by closing the tube 
with the hand from time to time. 

When the swellino: is lano-uid and does not "come to a 
head," it should be stimulated by painting it with tincture of 
iodine, or friction with iodine ointment (No. 8). Should 
this not affect the swelling promptly, a blister should be ap- 
plied to the part. 

When the ulcers which remain after the abscess breaks are 
not disposed to heal, they must be touched with the stick of 



184 Diseases of the Horse. 

nitrate of silver, with dilute nitric acid, or dressed with resin 
cerate, or the following : — 

No 199. Iodide of nitrcurv, 1 drachm. 

Lard, 1 oz. 

To use as a dressing spread on soft leather or linen. 

l\o. 200. Creasote, 1 or 2 parts. 

Lard, 8 parts. 

Use as the last. 

Tonics are quite important in these cases, to hasten the 

healing of the ulcers and improve the general strength, as : — 

No. 201. Sulphate of iron, 

Ginger, each 4 oz. 

Mix with enough common mass to make ten balls, and give one twice 
a day. 

Cod-liver oil internally, in doses of 3 or 4 ounces, also 
greatly aids in convalescence. Many sluggish cases are owing 
to a scrofulous taint in the system, according to Prof. Gam- 
gee, and for such nothing could be better than — 

No. 202. Cod-liver oil, 2 oz. 

Iodine, 20 grains. 

Mix with a pint of fresh milk and give on an empty stomach, twice a 
day. 

One of the late writers on this disease, Mr. George Armi- 
tage (in the Highland Soc. Agric. Report, 1878), justly says 
that the whole treatment consists " in the production of the 
discharge of the abscess." It is possible, by biniodide of 
mercury ointment, to disperse it. But nearly always this is 
followed by the sudden death of the animal, through some 
obscure form of blood poisoning. It would appear that there 
is some specific poison which requires to find an exit from 
the body by the discharge of the contents of the abscess ex- 
ternally. 



Erysipelas. 185 

EEYSIPELAS— ST. ANTHONY'S FIEE, 

Definition. — An inflammation of the skin and tissues be- 
neath, owing to a blood poison, characterized by a swelling 
and hardness of the affected parts, which has a tendency to 
spread and form abscesses. 

Cause. — This is supposed to be, primarily, some alteration 
in the blood. In horses and cattle erysipelas is nearly always 
the result of wounds, and generally of those in the legs of 
animals weakened by hard work and poor food, or else in 
young animals whose blood is vitiated by the poison of glan- 
ders or some other animal contamination. 

Symptoms. — Generally on the third or fourth day. after 
receiving the injury the skin in the immediate neighborhood 
of the wound is found swollen, smooth, shining, hot, tender 
and painful. The swelling gradually extends around it, 
and sometimes deep into the muscles. The surface is hard 
and tense, but often when the finger is firmly pressed upon 
it and withdrawn, a little pit or depression is left. Blisters 
on the surface and abscesses beneath the skin are frec|uently 
seen. 

The general symptoms correspond with the severity of the 
local disease. In the lighter form the animal is fevered, 
loses apjjetite, and is lame in the aiFected limb. In severe 
cases there are severe chills, the pulse is weak and quick, the 
breathing hurried, the bowels constij^ated, and the urine 
scanty and high colored. There is no aj)petite, but excessive 
thirst. 

All the signs of a low typhoid state may follow, the ab- 
scesses burrowing deeply between muscles and into joints, and 
the animal dying of exhaustion. 

Treatment. — In all cases begin with a brisk purge, aided 
by injections if it does not act promptly. It is important to 



186 Diseases of the Horse. 

stimulate the bowels decidedly. If there is much fever, add 
20 drops of tincture of aconite root to the water every few 
hours; Prof. Williams justly remarks that this drug has a 
most marked effect' in allaying the irritation and fever in this 
disease. 

As soon as the bowels have freely acted, prepare the fol- 
lowing : — 

No. 203. Tincture of chloride of iron, 2 to 4 drachms. 

Peruvian bark, 1 oz. 

(Or quinine, 30 grains.) 

Mix and give as a drench, in water, every four hours. 

For applications to the part we have a choice of several. 
The Scotch veterinarians prefer belladonna, smearing the parts 
freely with the extract rubbed up w ith an equal quantity of 
oil or lard ; or combined with aconite as a lotion. 

No. 204. Extract of belladonna, 1 oz. 

Tincture of aconite^ 2 oz. 

Water, 1 qt. 

Rub up together and paint on the part frequently. 

French surgeons prefer the sulphate of iron. 

No. 205. Powdered sulphate of iron, 1 oz. 

Lard, 4 oz. 

Mix and smear well on the swollen parts and the healthy skin near 
them. 

Or the swelling may be painted with tincture of the chlor- 
ide of iron; or a strong solution of nitrate of silver, two 
drachms to the ounce of water. 

DBOPSY— ASCITES. 

Defiuitioil. — An accumulation of watery fluid in the cavity 
of the abdomen, in the sheath, legs, and other dependent por- 
tions of the body. 

Causes, — Generally dropsy is a result of disease of the 
heart or liver ; but sometimes it appears in animals which 
have been kept long on poor and insufficient food, in low and 



Dropsy. 187 

ill-drained pastures. In the ox it not unfrequently is due to 
a scrofulous state of the system, characterized by growths in 
the lining membrane of the abdomen called '' grapes." 

Symptoms. — These are plainly apparent in the " jjot belly " 
of the animal, which can readily be recognized as due to the 
presence of fluid by the dull sound it yields on percussion, 
and by the feeling of fluctuation or fluid motion it imparts to 
the hand. If there is any doubt, a small quantity may be 
drawn off with a fine trocar. 

This condition is nearly always preceded by one of general 
poor health, often with signs of heart or liver disease, weak- 
ness and languor. As the fluid increases, the breathing be- 
comes more difficult, the bowels irregular, the pulse feeble, 
and the coat loose and unthrifty. The swelling of the legs 
impedes the motions, and the animal dies of exhaustion. 

Treatment, — The probabilities of success in this depends 
much on the cause of the dropsy. When it is due to heart 
or liver disease the prospects are far from cheering, and some 
writers recommend the animal to be killed. But when poor 
food and unhealthy surroundings have led to the condition, 
it may be removed by placing the patient in a dry, clean and 
well ventilated stable, giving a generous and nourishing 
diet, and administering, internally, tonics and diuretics, as — 

No. 20(3. Powdered (Jigitalis, 1 oz. 

Sulphate of iron, 2 oz. 

Mix fi?r one ball, morning and night. 

No lowering medicines whatever should be used. 

If the water in the belly is extensive, and does not promptly 
diminish by medicine and proper food, it should be drawn 
off by a troehar, which should be pkmged into the most de- 
pendent portion; this may be repeated as often as the accu- 
mulation of fluid demands it. 

The class of medicines known as ''diuretics," which exert 



/ 



188 Diseases of the Hoy^se. 

their action on the kidneys, find in this disease an appro- 
priate sphere. The usual diuretic mass of the Edinburgh 
veterinary college is made thus : — 

No. 207. Soap, 

Nitrate of potash, each 2 lbs. 

Resin, 3 lbs. 

Venice turpentine, 2 lbs. 

Oil of turpentine, i pint. 

Melt the soap and resin over a slow fire; when cooling stir in the 
other articles. The dose of this mass is two ounces, made into a ball 
with a little linseed meal. 

An efficient diuretic drench may be made thus :- 

No. 208. Sweet spirits of nitre, 2 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, 1 oz. 

Give in a quart of decoction of broom corn tops. 

The decoction of broom corn has by itself a very efficient 
action on the kidneys, and will often rapidly reduce dropsi- 
cal swellings. The same is true of another domestic remedy, 
the milk weed (asclepias), which may be given in the same 
way. 

No. 209. Soap, 2 oz. 

Ginger, essence of 2 drachms. 

Balsam of copaiva, 1 oz. 

Dissolve the soap in a pint of old ale or hard cider, and add the other 
articles. 

The above is praised by Mr. White as an active diuretic 
in dropsy of the belly. 

No. 210. Acetate of potash, 1 oz. 

Powdered camphor. 1 drachm. 

Bub the camphor down with the yolks of two eggs, and give the 
whole in a pint of linseed tea, or decoction of broom tops. 



Diseases of the Horse. 189 

CHAPTER YII. 

DISEASES OF THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 

Structure of the Foot of the Horse. 

Lameness in the Horse; How to Detect Lameness; Hoic co 

Ascertain the Cause of the Lameness. 
Inflammation of the Feet — Laminitis — Founder — Fever in 

the Feet. 
Corns. 

Thrush or Frush of the Frog. 
Canker. 

Punctured Wounds of the Feet — Prickings — Gathered Kails. 
.Sand Crack. 
False Quarter. 
Quittor — Fistula of the Coronet — Fibro-Chondritis of the 

Foot. 
Navicular Disease — Grogginess — Contraction of the Foot. 
Scratches — 3Iud Fever — Cracked Heels — Erythema of the 

Heels. 
Grease — Eczema of the Heels. 

In order to reader clear the subjects treated of in this 
chapter, we shall be obliged to begin with a brief descrip- 
tion of the 

STRTJCTUEE OF THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 

The following cut (Fig. 21) represents a section of the 
foot divided through the middle lengthwise, that is, from 



190 



Diseases of ilie Horse. 



toe to heel, and shows the bones in their natural position 
in the healthy hoof. 




FIG. 21. — A SECTION OF THE HOKSe'S FOOT. 



Commencing above, the letter d indicates the lower end 
of the long pastern bone; b is the coronary bone, which lies 
internally from the upper or coronary border of the wall 
of the hoof; c is the coffin bone, or foot bone, as pedis; 
d is the navicular bone, a small bone of very great interest 
to the surgeon, because injury and inflammation of surface 
tissues is a very frequent cause of lameness, producing that 
condition called " groo-giness." The navicular bone bears 
no part of the weight, but is apparently inserted for the 
purpose of giving increased leverage power to the long 
tendon, e, which passes from the coffin bone backward, 
over the navicular bone and up the leg. 

It will be seen that from the upper part of the long 
pastern bone to the end of the coffin bone is a straight 
line, inclined at an angle of about 45° to the surface of the 
ground. This obliquity of position enables the bone to act 
as a spring, for the purpose of modifying concussion. 



Anatomy of the Foot. 



191 



When, for any reason, the relations of this natural mechanism 
become disturbed, lameness is the result. 




FIG. 22. — EXTEKNAI. PARTS OP THE HOOF. 

Turning to the outer coverings of the hoof, we note that 
it is made up of two parts : the one seen above the ground, 
and the other that which is placed on the ground; in other 
words, the wall and the sole. 

The wall is divided into the foe (Fig. 22, a), which is the 
forward point of the hoof; the heel, which is the hinder 
part, where the notch is seen; the quarters, which are the 
portions on each side, midM-ay between the toe and the heel, 




FIG. 23.— THE SOLE OF THE HOOP. 

and which are known respectively as the inside and the 

outside quarter; the upper, or coronary border (e); the 

lower, or solar border; and the bars, which are the re- 



192 Diseases of the Horse. 

flections of the wall, in toward the centre of the foot, on 
its ground surface. When the horse is not shod, it is upon 
these bars that he walks. 

The ground surface, or sole of the foot, is made up of 
the bars, which, as w^e have said, are only parts of the 
wall of the hoof turned backward and downward; the 
frog (Fig. 23, a); the cleft of the frog (c); and the sole 
proper (b b), which forms the principal part of the ground 
surface of the hoof. 

The four hard parts of which the hoof is composed, to 
wit, the wall, the sole, the frog and the two bones (coffin 
bone and navicular bone), can readily be separated by 
boiling. Besides these, there are in the hoof, the "fatty 
frog", or the plantar cushion which is above the frog, 
tendons, nerves, blood-vessels, cartilage, and glands for 
the secretion of the horny substance which fornis the walls 
and frog* 

Into these it is needless to enter, for although their 
thorough understanding is essential in order to appreciate 
the remarkable mechanism of the horse's motion, their 
consideration can be dispensed with in a work designed 
for practical purposes only. 

LAMENESS IN THE HOKSE. 

It is often no easy matter to detect lameness in the horse; 
and when detected, it is often still more difficult to explain 
its cause and suggest a cure. We shall go into this subject 
at some length, because it is of such prime importance to 
every stock owner, and is so generally misunderstood; and 
we shall begin with some directions 



Lameness. 1 93 

HOW TO DETECT LAMENESS. 

The horse is to be examined: first, at rest; second, in 
motion. 

A lame horse standing at rest will generally favor the 
unsound limb by lifting it frequently, or by 2^oinfing it, 
that is, by extending it in advance of its fellow. If both 
feet are lame lie will have a habit of lifting first one, 
then the other. lu elbow lameness, the foie arm is ex- 
tended, the knee bent, and the foot on a level with, or 
behind, its fellow. In severe shoulder lameness, the point- 
ing is backward, the knee bent, and the foot behind its 
fellow, sometimes the toe only touching the ground. AVhen 
the lameness is in a hind limb, the horse stands with it 
"knuckling over" at the fetlock, or with the foot altogether 
off the ground. If the lame log is in advance of the 
sound one, this indicates that the disease is in, or below, 
the hock. 

AVhen both the fore feet are lame, the hind ones ai'e 
advanced beneath the body, so as to receive as much of the 
weight as possible, while the front feet are lifted alternately. 
When both hind feet are lamed, the fore feet are planted 
beneath the chest, and close to the centre line, while the 
body is pushed forward, and the head hung down, so as 
to take as much weight as possible off of the hind feet. 

Having noted carefully how the horse stands at rest, 
the next procedure is to examine the suspected limb. If 
there is unnatural heat, tenderness on pressure, or a swelling 
in any part of it, the suspicion of lameness is at once verified. 
But nothing of this kind may be obvious, even in cases of 
incurable lameness, so the horse should next be examined 
in motion. 

It is far from easv to recognize all varieties of lameness 
in a horse in motion ; and unscrupulous dealers know many 
tricks to conceal it. Thus, if one fore foot is lame, tliey 

13 



194 Diseases of the IJorse. 

will make the other equally so, by ])aring it, so that the 
action of the two limbs correspond; they will cheek up his 
head, with a tight rein, to prevent the peculiar "nodding" 
motion, or dipping of the head, characteristic of a horse 
lame in a front foot; or they will select a gait to show 
him off which conceals his unsoundness. Again, some 
varieties of lameness are visible in the gait only when a 
horse begins to exercise; while other varieties only show 
themselves after half an hour's use. Of this, of course, 
the dishonest dealer will take advantage. 

A proper examination is as follows : — 

As soon as the animal is taken from the stable, let an as- 
sistant ]'un with him at a slow trot, holding his head at only 
a moderate height. It is necessary to watch him trotting 
both/rom and toward the observer, for a horse lame in the 
off fore leg when trotted from the observer seems to ha^x the 
fault in the near hind leg, as this quarter is the one seen to 
ascend and descend — an error which is corrected on seeing 
him approach. Another important point is to have the ani- 
]nal turned sharply in both directions while on the trot. The 
lameness from string halt (p. 91) can often only be detected 
by this motion. 

When both front or both hind feet arc lame, there is no 
perceptible limp, but a peculiar shortness of action. Each 
foot is carefully put to the ground and quickly lifted uj) 
ao-ain. A horse lame in the fore quarter nods or dips his 
head at every step ; one lame in the hind quarter drops or 
jerks the croup. 

Having examined the horse in a slow trot, if nothing is 
discernible, but yet it is desired to push the inspection furtiier, 
the horse should be exercised at a rapid trot or moderate 
gallop for half an hour, then placed in a stall to cool off, for 
twenty minutes, and then brought out again. He will then 
assuredly show in his gait any splint or hock trouble that 
he m!\y have. 



Examining for Lameness. 195 

TO ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF THE LAMENESS. 

Lameness is not a disease in itself, but only the sign of a 
disease or an injury. It may arise from some local disorder 
in the foot, the bones of the legs or the joints ; or from some 
general disease, as rheumatism, palsy, affections of the brain, 
and even of the liver. 

In every case of lameness where the cause is not perfectly 
obvious, it is well to begin the search for it by removing the 
shoe and closely examining the foot for the presence of some 
of its numerous diseases, which will be shortly mentioned. 
Satisfied that the cause is not in the foot, we should next pro- 
ceed up the limb, carefully scrutinizing the soft parts, the 
bones and the joints, for any signs of injuries, tumors, tender- 
ness, swellings, or inflammation. If here, too, we are at 
fault, then we should run over the general diseases of the 
animal, mentioned above, which are accompanied by lame- 
ness as one of their symptoms. An examination conducted 
in this manner will seldom fail to result satisfactorily. 

In the description of local diseases causing lameness, 
which follows, we shall pursue the course here indicated, be- 
ginning with diseases of the foot, and proceeding up the 
limb. 

As the subject of lameness is so important to all dealers in 
horses, we add the following 

CLASSIFICATIOX OF THE SYMPTOMS OF LAMENESS, AND 
THEIK SIGNIFICANCE. 

The symptoms have reference to the animal either, l,at rest, 
or 2, in motion. "' Pointing," it will be borne in mind, may be 
only a habit; in that case one fore and one hind limb point; 
but when it is indicative of lameness, only one limb points. 



196 Diseases of the Horse. 

Symptoms lohcn at Rest. 

Symptoms. Significance. 

Fore foot pointina::, the foot It r ±i ^ 

■ £■ i. X' V x' 11 V Lrameness oi the leo;. 

Ill iroiit 01 its lellow. j ^ 

The fore arm extended, the ^ 

knee bent, the foot about > Lameness of the elbow. 

on a line with its fellow, j 
The limb relaxed, the knee "| 

bent, the foot behind its > Lameness of the shoulder. 

fellow. J 

Hind foot bent, "knueklino; \ ^ r ^ • i r ^ 

„ ^j, 'i 1 > Lameness ol Jiiud loot, 

over, or oii the ground. J 

Hind leg in front of its fel- |^ Lameness in or below the 

low. j hock. 

Hind feet brought well for-^ 

ward under the belly ; head ]• Lameness in both fore feet. 

reared. j 

Fore feet pushed back be-"| 

neatli the ehest, head hang- y Lameness in both hind feet. 

ing. J 

Symptoms when in Motion. 

Symptoms. Significance 

Lameness in fore 

Lameness in hind quarters. 



Head nodding or dipping. - Lameness in fore quarters. 



I 
Croup dipping, or drop- ( 

ping. \ 

Foot lifted quickly, r ^ o ^ ■> i 

, . , ^ ■( l^ameness ot toot or hock, 

straight up. [ 

Foot swung in a half cir- f Lameness of elbow or 

<le, not much elevated. \ shoulder. 

[ Side-bone, sprain of back 

_ , , - i sinews, si^rain of suspensory 

loot brouyht down toe ,. ^ . , ,. 

V ligament, navicular disease, 

shoulder lameness, or hip 



1^ joint lameness. 



first. 



Lameness cDid Founder. 197 

( Founder, seedy toe, saud 
Foot brought down heel j crack, ring bone, stifle joint 

lameness, inflammation of 
carpus, or os pedis. 

Little or no lameness at r ^ t . ^ • • i 

„ , . , ) bplmt, sore shnis, side 

first, but uicreased on mo- -< . ^ ,. „ , . . ^ 

, ' bones, disease oi knee jonit. 

tion. V 

Navicular disease, or grog- 
giness, weed, corns, rheuma- 
tism. 



More or less lameness at 
first, diminishing on motion. 



Little, or no lameness n\ ( o, • i i. . • i i i 

. / , , btrmghalt, strained back, 

a straight trot, but observ- < , . . 

, , ° , . ' , shivering, 
able on turning sharply. v 



INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET— LAMINITIS—FOTJNDEE— FEVER IN 
THE FEET. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the sensitive portions of 
the foot, including, at times, the laminae, the sole and the 
foot bone. 

Causes. — The causes of founder are numerous, and it is 
not surprising that it is one of the most common sources of 
lameness. It may arise from over exertion, from gallop- 
ing, or trotting on hard roads, from excessive feeding, 
from drinking too much cold water when heated, from a 
sudden chill, from having to stand a long time in rail- 
road cars, or on ships, and from a transfer of an inflamma- 
tion from some other part of the body. Horses with 
heavy bodies and slim legs, and those which are very fat, 
are more liable to it than others; and animals which have 
been taken from country roads and put to work on hard 
paved streets, very frequently suffer from an attack. 

Symptoms. — The inflammation is usually confined to one 
or both fore feet. He stands with the hind legs drawn up 



198 Diseases of the Horse. 

under liis belly, and his fore feet advanced, so as to relieve 
them of as much weight as possible. When the inflam- 
mation is active, the signs of pain are very manifest. T,he 
animal trembles and quivers, his eyes glare, his nostrils are 
dilated, he often groans with pain, and sweats moisten his 
skin. Ilis pulse is full, strong and rapid, and his breathing 
is quickened. He is very unwilling to move; and, if 
pushed backward, will elevate his toes and throw his 
weight upon his heels, by a peculiar motion, on which 
some surgeons rely to diagnose the disease quickly. Some- 
times he will lie down upon his side for hours together, 
with his legs stretched out, evidently relieved by this 
position. 

If tlio hand is placed on the hoof and frog, they will 
be found hot to the touch, and sensitive to firm pressure ; 
the pastern arteries beat violently. 

When the hind feet are inflamed, the fore feet arc pushed 
under the body, to support the weight; while the hind 
ones are extended forward, so as to throw the Aveight 
upon the heels; thus bringing all four of the feet close 
together, under the belly. When compelled to move, he 
takes a kind of a jump forward; but prefers to lie down, 
to escape the pressure on them when standing. 

Such are the characters of acute founder. But fre- 
quently it is much less severe in its symptoms. In many 
old and over- worked horses there is little heat or fever, 
and the pain is not constant. After a day or two's work, 
slight inflammation is excited, causing a lameness, which 
disappears after a few days' rest, to reappear on the next 
occasion. This is often mistaken for rheumatism. 

In old cases, when the disease has been often repeated or 
badly treated, it leaves behind it a condition known as "pu- 
miced foot," the appearance of which is quite characteristic. 
On looking at the hoof it is seen to have a number of fur- 



Founder. 199 

rowed, uneven or wavy ridges rmming around it, parallel to 
the coronet. They resemble ribs or irregular rings running 
together toward the front part of the foot. 

Another result of acute founder is what is called "seedy 
toe." This name is applied to an inferior secretion of horny 
matter at the lower margin of the foot bone, and in a small 
space about the toe. The formation is of a porous, soft 
character, and liable to be aggravated by dirt and gravel 
entering its substance. Though not invariably producing 
lameness, it is at all times liable to do so, and must be con- 
sidered an unsoundness. 

An affection that has been at times mistaken for acute 
founder is inflammation of the muscles of the limbs, espe- 
cially of the hind quarter and loin (myositis). In both dis- 
eases there are stiffness, lameness and loss of power of motion. 
The differences may be stated in a manner easv for compari- 
son as follows : 

Founder. i Inflammation of the Jlusdes. 

The horse lifts his feet from The horse keeps both feet 
the ground, first one then the 
other. 

AYhen the animal lies down 
the 2)ain and fever in the feet 
are lessened. 

Generally occurs in the Generally occurs in the 
front feet. hind quarters. 

Treatment, — This, as often practiced, is far more hurtful 
than beneficial. It should be an absolute rule not to give 
large doses of purgative medicine. Experience has repeat- 
edly shown that the irritation of the bowels thus produced 
often makes the disease much worse; indeed, it is said some 
cases have been brought on by an injudicious dose of the 
kind, leading to inflammation of the intestine and transfer to 
the feet. 



on the ground, and is unwil- 
ling to move either of them. 
There is no tendency to lie 
dow^n, and if cast, the symp- 
toms are aggravated. 



200 Diseases of the Horse. 

A gentle laxative is, however, in place. We may prescribe 

ISTo. 211. Powdered aloes, 2 to 4 drachms. 

Bicarbonate of soda, 1 oz. 

Give as a drench, in a pint of warm water. 

Should there be much fever. Prof. Williams states that he 
knows no treatment so effectual as aconite in repeated doses, 
sav 20 drops of the tincture of the root every 2 hours, in 
the water, until the pulse decidedly falls. If the pain is very 
severe, however, he would give first attention to this, by ad- 
ministering one or two full doses of opium or morphia. 

For local treatment to the foot, the most judicious is to 
envelop it in a large warm poultice, or wrap it in numerous 
woolen cloths and keep them wet with hot water. After the 
urgent symptoms have passed off, cold instead of hot appli- 
cations will pro\'e more useful. 

Some writers of weight have recommended that the ani- 
mal be moderately exercised during the course of the dis- 
ease; but it is safe to say the majority do not favor this 
course. Others, especially the old authorities, urge the im- 
portance of bleeding. Certainly in the large majority of 
cases this is wholly useless; and if practiced at all it should 
only be in young, strong and full-blooded animals. Probably 
local bleeding from the coronary arteries just above the hoof 
will answer every purpose, and no doubt often does afford 
prompt relief. 

Pumiced foot is incurable ; but it can be greatly relieved 
by fitting to the foot a bar shoe with a broad circle, thicker 
at its outer edge and beveled off toward the center. 

In seedy toe the diseased parts should be cut away, and 
the growth of a healthy secretion stimulated by blisters and 
strong liniments. The sole should be protected by bar shoes, 
properly adjusted. The ])robability of a cure is very slight. 



Lameness. 201 

CORNS, 

Definitioil. — Small swellings or tumors on the sensitive 
sole, in the triangular space between the bars and the wall at 
the heel, found in the fore feet only, and almost always in 
the inside heel. 

Causes. — The cause of corns is almost always bad shoeing, 
or wearing the shoe too long a time. 

Sj^Iiptoms. — Corns do not always cause lameness, though 
as a rule they do. They are always sensitive to pressure, 
and usually appear as tumors of a hard, horny character. 

Treatment. — The shoe should be removed, and if there is 
inflammation, the foot should be poulticed, and if the corns 
are festered, an opening made to give vent to the j^us. The 
seat of the corn should be pared, care being taken not to cut 
out portions of the bars or the frog. Many "corn salves" 
are recommended. Mr. Chawner gives the followinec : — 



No. 212. Tar, 

Beeswax, 
Honey, of each, 
Glycerine, 
Lard, 
Nitric acid. 




3oz. 

ilb. 

2 drachms. 


Melt the lard and beeswax together, 
ents, and stir till cold. 


stir 


in the lard and other ingredi' 



Another corn plaster is — 

No. 213. Subacetate of copper (verdigris), .' to 1 oz. 

Oil of turpentine^ 2 oz. 

Yellow wax, ^ lb. 

Melt together and apply on a piece of leather. 

THRTJSH, OR FRUSH OF THE FROG. 

Definition, — A diseased condition of the secretions from 
the frog, commencing at the cleft and extending over the 
M'hole of it, characterized by the discharge of a foul and fetid 
material. 



202 Diseases of the Horse. 

Causes. — Standing in Avater and filtli, such as wet straw 
and stable refuse; frost bite; irritating applications, or "stop- 
pings " to the feet. 

SyMptoms. — The appearance of the frog, especially of its 
cleft, and the bad odor, are characteristic. There is nearly 
always tenderness on pressure, and consequent lameness. 

Treatment. — Thrushes are usually easily cured. The ani- 
mal sliould be placed in a clean stable, with a dry floor, well 
littered. The seat of disease should be cleaned, the excessive 
growth removed, and calomel applied, as — 

No. 214. Calomel, ^ oz. 

Sweet oil, 2 oz. 

Mix, spread on a piece of lint or oakum, and insert in the cleft of the 
frog, and over any other diseased parts. 

The whole should be covered with a layer of wood tar, or 
a leather shoe may be used for a while with advantage. 

Some veterinarians use caustic pastes, as this, by Mr. 

Youatt : 

No. 215. Sulphate of copper, 2 oz. 

Sulphate of zinc, 1 oz. 

Mix thoroughly with 2 lbs. of lard and one of tar, and every night and 

morning cover it with a piece of tow, and introduce it into the cleft 

of the frog. 

Another is : 

No. 216. Tar, 4 oz. 

Sulphuric acid, ] oz. 

This to be applied on tow, as the foregoing. 

Or nitric acid may take the place of the sulphuric acid in 
the formula. 

CANKER. 

Definition. — A diseased condition of tha frog; and sensi- 
tive sole, resulting in an unhealthy and fetid secretion of 
horny substance. 



Canker of the Foot. 203 

Causes. — It may arise from an injury, as a prick, or the 
irritation of a nail ; but at other times the cause is obscure. 

Symptoms. — There is an abundant, ill-smelling, colorless 
discharge iVom the fi"og, which is large, spongy and covered 
with fungous growths, and oifensively smelling, cheese-like 
masses. The very disagreeable smell is attributed to the 
sulphuretted hydrogen in the secretion of bone substance. 

Generally, there is a gross, heavy habit of body ; hence, 
canker is most frequent in cart horses, with thick, round 
legs and large feet. 

Treatment. — Some veterinarians say that the treatment 
of canker, by calomel (No. 214), is generally a successful 
one. Others have not found it so, and recommend the 
early removal of the Avliole horny sole of the foot, as the 
only effectual remedy. This is performed as follows: — 

The animal having been jsroperly thrown and secured, 
make a groove at the immediate junction of the sole and 
wall, all around the foot, commencing at the heel. Then 
divide this circle into two halves by a groove, from the 
cleft of the frog to the toe. Take a sharp scalpel and cut 
cleanly through these grooves, into the sensitive parts, so as 
to completely separate the sole from the Avail. Strip off 
one-half of the sole first, then the other, removing every 
trace of the horny covering of both sole and frog. Cut 
away all fungous growths, and freshen up the whole with 
nitrate of silver. Pack with dry tow, bandage, and put on 
a leather boot. Apply a tourniquet, moderately tight, to 
the fetlock. The dressing should not be removed for two 
days, when it may be done very carefully, after a thorough 
soaking of the foot in warm water. 

If fungous growths and the ill-smelling secretion still 
continue, the surface must be repeatedly dressed with power- 



204 Diseases of the Horse. 

ful caustics, as nitrate of silver, sulphuric acid and tar 

(No. 216), and tlie like. An efficient caustic Mash, is: — 

No. 217. Chloride of zinc, 40 grains. 

Water, 1 uz. 

This is known as De Morgan's solution, from the eminent 
London surgeon of that name, and is unsurpassed as a wash 
for fistulous and foul wounds and ulcers, which cannot well 
bo reached with the solid pencil of nitrate of silver, or 
chloride of zinc. The solution may be syringed freely on 
the part, 

PUNCTURED WOUNDS OF THE FEET— PRICKINGS, GATHERED 
NAILS. 

• Most injuries to the feet, of this class, are caused by care- 
lessness in shoeing; though, occasionally, a horse treads on 
an upright nail, or a thorn, and brings about a lameness due 
to its entrance into the sensitive portion of the hoof. 

SyniptouiS. — The distinguishing marks of lameness from 
this cause are its sudden onset, Avhen the horse is in health, 
without fever or other disease, and the intense pain. Should 
the accident not receive attention, it may lead to festering 
within the hoof, disease of the bones of the foot, sympathetic 
fever, and lockjaw. 

Treatment. — The shoe should be gently removed, the 
foot washed and pared, and moderate pressure against the 
sole and wall of the hoof, all around, until some tender spot 
is found. This is then to be scraped and pared, so as to re- 
move any foreign body, and to give free outlet to any pus 
which may have formed ; and the foot then enveloped 
in a large and warm poultice. After a day or two, if the 
healing is delayed by proud flesh, or the continued discharge 
of an unhealthy and ill-smelling matter, the wound should 
be well syringed, several times daily, with a solution of car- 



Various Lamenesses. 205 

bolic acid : one drachm of the acid to an ounce of water ; or, 
the following : — 

No. 218.. Sulphate of zinc 

Sulphate of copper, of each 2 drachms. 

Vinegar, I pint. 

Mix, and use with a syring". 

SAND CBACK. 

Definition. — A crack or fissure in the wall of the hoof, be- 
ginning at the coronet, and generally found in the inner quar- 
ters of the fore and the toes of the hind feet. 

Causes. — There is usually a defective quality of horny sub- 
stance secreted in these cases. It is too brittle, and on bad 
shoeing, or rapid traveling over hard roads, tlie wall of the 
lioof splits. Sometimes this happens suddenly, but generally 
the crack is of slow growth, beginning at the coronet and run- 
ning downward. * 

Symptoms. — The appearance of the crack is characteristic ; 
when the animal bears his weight on the foot it opens, and 
when he lifts the foot it closes. Thus sand and dirt easily 
eifect a lodgment, and working into the sensitive parts, give 
severe pain, and cause marked lameness. Sometimes irrita- 
tive fever and local suppuration ensue. 

Treatment. — When there is much inflammation, the shoe 
should be removed, the edges of the crack pared, the fissure 
c-leansed, and hot fomentations and poultices applied. Caus- 
tic should not be applied, even if there is a growth of j)roud 
flesh, according to Prof. Williams, on account of the danger 
of exciting further irritation. 

AVhen the inflammatory symptoms have abated, a bar shoe 
should be applied to the foot, and the edges of the crack be 
In'ought together and clasped, by an instrument made for the 
purpose, which can be had of any surgical instrument maker. 

Two or three of these may be placed up and down the 



206 Diseases of the Horse. 

crack. A small hole is bored with a red hot wire, to admit 
the insertion of thin hooks on each side of the crack, the 
sides of which are thus firmly bound together. 

Another and a simple expedient is to cut several notches 
on one side of the crack, and drive a small horseshoe nail iu 
the M'all, passing across the crack, and coming out through the 
wall on its other side, where it can be firmly clinched. This 
also brings the edges of the crack so closely together that no 
dirt can enter, and if neatly performed, without injury to the 
sensitive structures beneath, will give immediate relief, and 
offer a very fair prospect of a permanent cure. 

Instead of these mechanical appliances, some cases will re- 
cover by filling the crack, after cleansing it thoroughly, with 
the following composition, and turning the horse out to grass 
until a new hoof is grown. 

No. 219. Beeswax,)!. 4 cz. 

Yellow resin, 2 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, 1 oz. 

Tallow, ^ oz. 

Melt together. 

FALSE QTJARTEK. 

Definition. — A large crack or gap in the coronet or wall of 
the foot, showing a deficiency of the horn-making secretion 
of the part, or that the secretion is unhealthy. 

Causes. — The usual cause is some previous disease of the 
coronary band, such as carbuncle, quittor, injury, severe frost- 
bite, or the like, which has altered its structure to such a de- 
gree that it can no longer perform its proper function of 
secreting the material for the horny layers. 

SymptomSi — iVlthough a horse with false quarter is not 
always lame, he is very apt to become so, and is esteemed 
unsound by all authorities. False quarter differs from sand- 
crack, both in origin and appearance ; it is much wider at the 



Quittor. 207 

base and contains a modified condition of horn. The coron- 
ary band shows a loss of substance corresponding to that of 
the wall. The space where the wall is imperfect is tender to 
2)ressure, and requires careful shoeing and protection. 

Treatment. — If there is a wound, its edges should be 
freshened with the knife or caustic, and a firm bandage ap- 
plied, to bring them together. Stimulating washes of carbolic 
acid and water will keep the surface clean and hasten heal- 
ing. In old cases little can be done besides filling up the 
fissure with gutta percha, and having the horse wear a bar 
shoe. 

QUITTOR— FISTULA OF THE CORONET— FIBRO-CHONDRITIS OF 

THE FOOT. 

Definition. — Inflammation and suppuration of the fibrous 
cartilage of the foot, extending by fistulous canals in various 
directions, with one or more openings upon the quarters and 
heels of the coronet. The name "quittor" is derived from 
tlie verb to quit, in the sense of to discharge, the external 
opening of the fistulse being their vent or place of discharge. 



), — Pricks in shoeing, treads, suppurating corns, or 
any other injury v.hich leads to inflammation of tlie cartilage 
in the hoof and the accumulation of pus inside the walls. 

Symptoms. — A quittor differs from a wound or a recent 
abscess of the coronet, by the condition of the parts, which 
have taken on a peculiar unhealthy action; by the character 
of the surrounding tissue, which is hard to the touch ; and 
by the presence of the fistulse, or "pipes" as they are called 
by farriers. 

The principal symptoms are lameness, which is often ex- 
cessive ; swelling upon the coronet, about the center of which 
ojie or more small orifices are seen, discharging a thin and 
waterv or a thick and curdled matter. On examining with a 



208 Diseases of the Horse. 

probe, the pipes are readily detected, leading generally in a 
downward direction toward and into the foot. 

Treatment. — There is a variety of ways of curing quit- 
tor, and if ^ve fail in the more mild, w^e must proceed to the 
more severe, and not be deterred by fancied feelings of ten- 
derness. 

First, if there are heat, swelling, and excessive tenderness, 
indicating an acute stage of the complaint, we must for the 
time be satisfied with poulticing the foot and giving it the 
utmost rest possible. The shoe should be removed, and any 
puncture or inflamed corn sought out and treated as directed 
under those headings. 

These measures failing, the next step is to inject the fis- 
tulae or pipes with caustic and strongly stimulating injec- 
tions. For this purpose we may use. 



^0. 220. 


Carbolic aciJ, 
Water 


1 drachm. 
1 oz. 


Or, 






No. 221. 


(Jorrosive sublimate, 

Water 

Nitric acid, 


1 drachm. 

1 oz. 

10 drops. 



Once a day is often enough to use either of these, and it is 
useless to repeat them more than half a dozen times. 

Should they fail, the next resource is what the old writers 
call "coring the pipes," that is, burning them out with caus- 
tics or tlie red hot iron. The former is effected by sprink- 
ling about five grains of corrosive sublimate on a small 
square piece of tissue paper, folding it like a plug, and in- 
serting it into the pipe, where it is retained by means of a 
bandage. In from five to seven days a circular slough will 
liave separated, leaving a healtliy wound, which with proper 
care will heal up from the bottom. The same end may be 
attained by pushing a pointed iron, at white heat, to the very 
bottom of the pipes, or by inserting a guarded bistoury, and 



Treatment of Quittor. 209 

rutting their sides freely, and then syringing them willi the 
stimulant above mentioned (No. 220). 

If the quittor is near the front of the foot these })roc'ed- 
ures must be carried out with care not to injure the joint, 
which is there close to the surface. 

A horse with quittor should not be worked, as it greatly 
retards recovery, or renders it impossible. It is also essential 
that during the cure his general system be well supported by 
nourishing diet, healthy surroundings and tonic medicines, 
Avhen called for. 

NAVICULAS DISEASE— CONTBACTION OF THE FOOT— GEOGGINESS. 

Definition, — An inflammation of the surface of the navic- 
ular bone, extending, occasionally, to its interior and to the 
tendon which passes over its surface, as well as to adjacent 
})arts. 

Causes. — This disease is said, by Prof. AVilliams, to be the 
most fertile cause of lameness, that we know of, in high-bred 
horses. For a long time its exact nature was doubtful, and 
even yet there is not an entire agreement among veterinary 
authorities; but the definition, above given, expresses the 
most recent views. It is believed that a rheumatic constitu- 
tion predisposes it; and that a bad fitting shoe, sudden and 
violent exertion, and over-strain of various kinds, bring it 
on. Racing and hunting horses are those most subject to it. 

Symptoms. — The k'.meness it produces may be sudden in 
its onset, or it may have been preceded by ''pointing" of the 
foot, and shortness of step. The chief signs of the disease, 
are: a short, tripping gait, turning in of the heels, wearing 
away of the toe of the shoe, pointing of the limb while stand- 
ing, and wasting of the muscles of the shoulder — what is 
called a sicecny (though this may arise from various other 
diseases). The motion is stiff and peculiar, and once care- 

14 



210 Diseise-s of the Horse. 

fully noted, will be readily recognized. On examining the 
foot it is often found hot, dry, and perhaps tender at some 
points, especially on bearing firmly on the hollow of the 
pastern. Tripping and stumbling are common. 

As the disease progresses, a contraction of the size of the 
foot always follows, which may extend to the muscles of the 
fore arm and shoulder. 

Treatment. — If this is commenced early, it will usually 
succeed; but if postponed for several weeks, the horse is 
ruined for life. 

As soon as the lameness appears, and is traced to its right 
source, the shoe should be removed, blood taken from 
the arteries above the coronet, and the foot placed in a cold 
water bath for a few hours during the day, and wrapped in 
a poultice at night. No exercise should be allowed; and if 
the pulse is fast, an ounce of saltpetre shonld be given night 
and morning, in the water. Moderate doses of aloes (about 
four drachms), in a pint of water, will be of benefit. 

If, after a fortnight, the disease is not conquered, a blister 
should be placed around the coronet; and this not bringing 
prompt relief, a seton should be put into the frog, as 
follows: 

If the near foot is to be operated upon, the needle should 
be introduced from the frog upward; but if the off foot, 
from the heel doM'nward. The frog should be well ]>ared, 
a sharp-pointed, short, curved needle chosen, and its course 
not made too deep, as the sinew might be wounded. The 
point of the needle should be introduced about one inch 
from the toe, and brought out midway between the bulbs of 
the frog and the forward boundary of the hollow of the heel. 
The ends of the tape are then tied together, and the setoji 
is dressed daily, for three weeks or a month. This will 
usually be found to cure the lameness; but if it does not. 



Scrdtchcs or Cracked Heeh. 211 

the case maj be looked on as hopeless, and tlie most that can 
be expected will be to render the horse, by care and qniet, 
able to do some moderate work. 

Some relief may be obtained, by tlie following- hoof oint- 
ment : — 

No. 222. Tar, 

Burgundy pitcli, 

Mutton suet, of each equal parts. 

SCRATCHES— MUD FEVER— CRACKED HEELS — ERYTHEMA OF THE 

HEELS. 

Definition, — An affection of the skin of the heels in horses, 

considered a variety of chronic erythema, depending on altered 

or suppressed secretions. 

Causes. — Exposure to mud and water, melting sno^^', ne-. 
gleet of grooming, constitutional predisposition. It is parti- 
cularly frequent in wet, open winters. 

Symptoms. — The horse is more or less lame, especially on 
starting off in the morning. The skin of the heels is dry 
and cracked, presenting upon its surface scaly crusts, the part-s 
swollen, and sensitive to the touch. 

At times the scratches are on all four legs, and extend up 
to the belly ; the horse is irritable, and some general fever is 
noted. This is the form called " mud fever," as it is generally 
brought about by the irritation of wet dirt, and lack of care. 
For its prevention, it is recommended to allow the dirt to dry 
on the horse, and then have it well brushed off, without the 
application of water; or if water is used to remove it, that 
the legs be well bandaged immediately afterward. 

Treatment. — The plan recommended by Mr. Broad, of 
Bath, England, as always successful, is to groom carefully, give 
walking exercise, and apply to the parts, once or twice daily, 
the following : — 

No. 223. Solution of subacetate of lead, 1 oz. 

Glycerine, 8 oz. 

Mix, and apply to tlie parts. 



212 Diseases of the Horse. 

Sometimes the system needs to be strengthened by extra 
diet and tonics. And if the case seems very obstinate, the 
part is to be penciled over with nitrate of silver solution. 

No. 224. Nitrate of silver, 1 drachm. 

Water, 1 oz. 

For a local application. 

Or a mild blister is to be applied, and the system generally 
altered, by the administration of Fowler's solution of arsenic, 
in the usual dose, for a few days. 

Other useful preparations are — 

No. 225. Powdered alum, 2 drachms. 

Sulphate of zinc. 20 grains. 

Water, 1 pint. 

Wash the cracks well with this, and dress with petroleum ointment- 
No. 226. Acetate of lead, 

Sulphate of copper, of each h oz. 

Mix in a pint of water, for the same purpose as the last. 

AVlien the inflammation is considerable, it may have tc be 
reduced by poulticing ; the irritation and sensitiveness which 
remain can then be reduced by the following : — 

No. 227 Acetate of lead, 

Oxide of zinc, each ] oz. 

Lard, 3 or 4 oz. 

To he applied after the part has been well washed 

GEEASE— ECZEMA OF THE HEELS. 

Definitioi).. — An inflammation of the skin at the back of 
the heels and fetlocks, with a formation of vesicles and pus- 
tules, yielding a fetid, watery discharge. 

Causes. — Negligent grooming, exposure to cold and Avct 
in standing, together with a constitutional tendency, or a low 
condition. Grease is scarcely ever met Avith in vigorous 
horses which arc well cared for. 

SymptoniS. — There is an inflamed appearance of the skin, 
the surface dotted with small blisters and pustules, pouring 



Treatment of Grease. 213 

out a discharge of ill-smelling matter, often considerable in 
quantity. The limb is swollen and tender, and fever may be 
present. The hind limbs are more frequently affected than 
the fore ones. The hairs are matted together, and masses of 
proud flesh spring from tlie unhealthy sores, forming rounded 
bunches, which, from their imagined resemblance to the fruit, 
are called by farriers "grapes." Closer examination may dis- 
cover various parasites in these masses, and around the hairs. 

Tiie main point of difference between grease and scratches 
is that the former is a moist, and the latter a dry disease of 
the skin (though irritation and ulceration of the cracks, in 
scratches, may sometimes deceive the hasty observer). 

TreatmGllt. — As the disease is very often owing to the 
poor condition of the animal, he should have an entire 
change of diet, should be comfortably housed and clothed, 
and given, once a week, a moderate dose of aloes (4 to 6 
drachms in a pint of water). An ounce of saltpetre should 
be placed daily in his bucket of water. 

Locally the parts should be kept clean by gentle bathing 
in tepid water, and dusting with dry oxide of zinc (flowers 
of zinc) ; or by bathing with the following, which is highly 
recommended by Prof. Dick in the early stages of the dis- 
ease : — 

No. 228, Acetate of lead, 1 oz. 

Sulphate of zinc, 2" oz. 

Water, 1 pint. 

Mix and apply twice daily, after cleaning the parts with warm soap 
and water. 

For the "grapes" Prof. Dick recommends sprinkling them 
with powdered sulphate of zinc. Others clip them off with 
scissors ; or fasten a tight ligature around their bases and let 
them slough off; or remove them with an actual cautery. 

For the unjjleasant odor of the discharge, a lotion made 
of one part of carbolic acid to ten or twelve parts of water 
will prove effectual. Prof. Gamgee recommends, as an excel- 
lent preparation — 



214 Diseases of the Horse. 

No. 229. Tar, 4 oz. 

Kitric acid, sufficient. 

Pour the nitric acid on the tar, rapidly stirring the mixliire until 
active effervescence ensues. For a local application. 

Another preparation which lie praises for the same trou- 
ble is — 

No. 230. Nitrate of potash, 

Oil of turpentine. 

Sulphuric acid, each, 2 oz. 

Vinegar, 1 pint. 

Mix together, and then add as much sulphate of copper as it will dis- 
solve, and apply locally. 

For the bad odor a chloride of lime ointment is efteet- 
ual — 

No. 231. Chloride of lime, 3 to 6 ozs. 

Lard, 1 lb. 

Mix and apply to the parts. This also has the advantage, in summer, 
of keeping the flies away from the excoriation?. 

An American authority recommends — 

No. 232. Sulphate of copper, 1 oz. 

Water, 

Whisky, of each, 1 pint. 

Dissolve the vitriol in the water, then add thevvhisky. Apply three 
times a day, bandaging the part afterward. 



Infiammatioii of the Bones. 215 

CHAPTEE yill. 

DISEASES OP THE LEG. 

Injiammation of the Bones. 

Sore Shins — Inflammation of the Metacarpal Bones. 

Splints or Splents. 

Bing Bones. 

Bog Spavin — Blood Spavin — Inflammation of the Hock 

Joint. 
Bone Spavin. 
Tliorough-Pin. 
Capped Hock. 
Side Bones. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BONES— OSTITIS -PERIOSTITIS. 

The bones of the leg, and then' covering, called the '' peri- 
osteum," are liable to become inflamed, and to lead to sever- 
al varieties of lameness, which we shall examine in order. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE METACARPAL BONES— SORE SHINS. 

This form of inflammation of the bones aifects young 
horses, particularly race horses under four years old, and is 
due to the fact that they are so often violently overworked. 

Symptoms. — Lameness of the leg; swellings of an elastic, 
tense and. doughy feeling over the shin bone; tenderness and 
heat on pressure; sometimes slight general fever. The 
swelling may become very prominent, and tend to break ex- 
ternally, but it always preserves its elastic feel ; or, it may 
remain small and gradually become quite hard, changing 
into bony matter, and the pain disappears. 

Treatment. — If the swelling is decided and the pain 
severe, a narrow-bladed bistoury should be introduced be- 
neath the skin, and the periosteum freely cut, so as to allow 



216 Diseases of the Horse. 

its contents to escape. This is to be followed bv warm and 
soothing fomentations, as hot water containing a tablespoon- 
ful of laudanum to the pint; later by cold water dressing, 
and if healing is not prompt a blister should be applied to 
the part. 

With this, the constitutional treatment should not be neg- 
lected. A smart purgative is required, followed by small, 
repeated doses of aconite (twenty drops of the tincture of tlie 
root three or four times a day), low diet, and the animal 
kept as quiet as j^ossiblc. 

In the less severe forms incisions are not called for, and 
the cold applications may be employed from the outset, suc- 
ceeded by blisters, if needed. 

SPLINTS OE SPLENTS. 

These arise from another form of inflammation of the 
metacarpal bones. They are usually found upon the inner 
surface of the leg, at the upper third of the bone. They 
are a bony growth, the result of slight inflammation. 
Although when single and small they may exist without 
causing lameness, their presence may be considered a mark 
of unsoundnesss. 

In regard to their causes, it is said that they are frequent- 
ly hereditary, and are at other times developed by a long 
continued moderate gait, from concussions and bruises. 
Slightly built horses are most subject to them. 

The peculiarities of lameness from splints are: (1) The 
horse is often quite young (2) A splint-lame horse will 
show it little or none in his walk, but in a marked manner in 
his trot, the drop of the head upon the sound side being 
very great. (3) The knee does not bend readily. (4) The 
lameness increases the longer he is kept in motion. (5) Ten- 
derncsi on firm pressure over the seat of the splint. 

Their presence may usually be recognized by running the 



Treatment of SjjUnt. 217 

finger dowu the slight groove formed between the main 
shank bone and the smaller one behind, where they will be 
felt as small, bony swellings. 

Treatment. — In new and acute cases, with decided swell- 
ing and tenderness, a sharj? scalpel should be inserted be- 
neath the skin, and the sheath of the bone freely divided. 
A seton may be placed over the spot, an active purgative 
administered, and the part thoroughly fomented. 

If these measures fail, it is well to fire the part as recom- 
mended on page 64. 

After an apparent cure the lameness may return, in which 
case it is best to take the shoes off, turn the animal into pas- 
ture, and give him a long rest. 

A writer in the London Lancet has given the following as 
a useful liniment in splint : — 

No. 233. Oil of origanum, 

Oil of turpentine, each 1 oz. 

Alcohol, 2" oz. 

To be applied night and morning, for a few days at a time. 

RING BONES. 

These are deposits of bony matter above and below the 
coronet. They are produced by heavy work in drauglit 
horses, or by rheumatic disease. 

Lameness may not be present, although when inflamma- 
tion is active, it may be extreme. The lameness is worse on 
hard ground, and usually increases with exercise. Swelling- 
may be scarcely perceptible, and confined to the sides of the 
pastern bone, or it may be an extreme enlargement of the 
whole region. Forcible bending of the pastern causes pain, 
as does also firm pressure on the swelling. 

Treatment. — Active inflammation, when present, should 
be treated as heretofore described. When this is absent, the 
treatment is chiefly mechanical. "When the ring bone is in 



218 i>/.sY'«.:5'c.s' (if the Horse. 

the fore leg the liorse puts the heel down first ; in tliis case 
a thin-lieeled bar shoe should be used. If, on the oilier 
hand, he puts the toe down first and endeavors to walk on it, 
this shows that the ring bone is in the hind limb and on the 
sides or back of the pastern. He should then wear a high- 
heeled shoe. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE HOCK JOINT— BOG SPAVIN — BLOOD 

SPAVIN, 

The hock joint in the horse corresponds to the ankle joint 
in man, and is subject to a class of diseases called spavins. 
Of these, bog-spavm is the result of inflammation of the 
structures of the joint. It is, in its acute forms, a tense fluc- 
tuating swelling, accompanied by heat and tenderness, and 
producing decided lameness. In a more chronic form it 
seems to be but a dropsical swelling of the joint, and may exist 
without apparently interfering with the gait. 

The tendency in the acute form is toward ulceration of 
the cartilage of the joint, and a consequent permanent stiflen- 
ing of its motions. In chronic spavin, which is usually of a 
rheumatic character, there is a slow depositing of bony sub- 
stance in and around the joint, M-hich also leads to perma- 
nent impairment of the functions. 

Blood spavlii is strictly a distention of one or more of the 
veins in the neighborhood of the hock, caused by the pressure 
of the swelling impeding the flow of the blood. 

Treatment. — The treatment of acute spavin should be by 
liberal doses of opium, to relieve pain, placing the horse in 
the slings to take the pressure off the joint, fomenting this 
with hot water, giving a moder;ite dose of aloes, and adding 
an ounce of saltpetre to the water, morning and night. 

As soon as these measures have conquered the inflamma- 
tion, setons and blisters to the hock, and rubbing it freely 
wdth ointment of iodide of mercury (No. 162), will prevent 
the remaining; lameness. 



On Spavin. 21 9 

When in chronic cases there is considerable deposit of 
water around the joint, blisters, setons and firing will often 
lessen it. But when the bony deposits are once formed, there 
are no means at our command to remove them. As a blis- 
tering liniment in chronic cases, we may use — 

No. 234. Mercurial ointment, 2 oz. 

Oil of cantiiarides, 4 drachms. 

Mix and use locally. 

The oil of cantharldes, which is preferred by some veteri- 
narians to other forms of Spanish flies, is made thus : — 

No. 235. Powdered flies, 1 oz. 

Olive oil, S oz. 

Digest in a water bath for three hours, and filter. 

It is an efficient stimulating liniment. 

BONE SPAVIN. 

Definition. — A bony gro\\i;h on the inner and lower side 
of the hock, arising from inflammation of the adjacent bones 
(the cuneiform and metatarsal), terminating generally in a 
bony union between two or more bones of the hock, and thus 
creating a permanent unsoundness. 

Causes, — These are defined to be hereditary and constitu- 
tional. All writers agree that bone spavin is transmitted from 
sires and dams to colts. Local exciting causes are sprains of# 
the ligaments, and the use of shoes with high heels or calks. 
Blows, it is believed by the best surgeons, do not cause 
spavin, in spite of what certain horse breeders have main- 
tiiined to the contrary. 

Symptoms. — Spavins do not always cause lameness, but 
it is almost impossible to say which ones are not liable to 
develop it. As a rule, those in front of the hock are most 
feared. The lameness is, as a rule, removable in young 
horses, but incurable in those past their prime. Yet one 
which has existed for a number of years without producing 



220 Diseases of fJie Horse. 

serious trouble with the gait, will, as a rule, never do so. 
There is always a certain stiffness about a spavined horse, 
which is observable to an experienced eye, although it is 
often so slight as to pass undetected by ordinary witnesses. 

Treatment, — The treatment for recent cases is the same as 
that directed for other inflammations in the foot and neigh- 
borhood. 

When the acute symptoms have subsided, blistering or 
firing, or the insertion of a seton is called for. Various 
stimulating oils, and the like applications, are used for a 
similar object, as — 

No. 236. Oil of turpentine, 12 parts. 

Corrosive sublimate, 1 part. 

Mix for a resolvent ointment 

The objection to corrosive sublimate is that it blemishes. 

No. 237. Mercurial ointment, 4 oz. 

Powdered cantharides, ^ o^- 

Oil of rosemary, 2 drachms. 

Thoroughly and frequently rubbing the part with oleate of 
mercury (referred to under Rheumatism, p. 181), will dis- 
sipate as much of the swelling as has not become bone. 

Firing has often been used with success in very obstinate 
cases; and of all our resources, it is the one on which most 
* confidence can be jilaccd. The objection to it is that it 
blemishes; but any severe caustic application may do the 
same; and by the use of Prof. Williams' firing iron, pre- 
viously described (page G5), this objection is largely re- 
moved. 

Setons are next in value, if not fully equal; and if skill- 
fully inserted, leave little mark. They should be passed be- 
neath a considerable tract of skin, covering the site of the 
spavin, and the tape anointed with one of the stimulant pre- 
parations mentioned in Part First (p. 64). 

Before using any of these external remedies, it is good 



Sjxivin and Tlwrough-pln. 221 

practice to insert under the skin a narrow-bladed bistoury, 
and scarify the site of the spavin freely; and during tlie 
treatment, which on an average will be two months, the 
horse should be stabled and used very little. 

THOROTJGHPIN. 

Definition. — A dropsicai enlargement of the sheath of the 
tendon which passes along the upper and posterior side of 
the hock joint (synovial effusion in the bursa of the flexor 
pedis perforans muscle). The disease receives its name be- 
cause the fluid which fills it may by pressure be forced from 
one side of the hock to the other. There is really no con- 
nection between the joint of the hock and the sheath of the 
tendon. Thorough-pin is a dropsical effusion in the latter ; 
hog spavin is a similar effusion in the former. 

Causes. — Thorough-pin is usually found in short, fleshy 
horses, and those which have heavy loads to start, thus strain- 
ing the tendon of the perforating muscle. 

Symptoms. — The distinctions pointed out in the definition 
of the disease will serve to distinguish it from bog spavin, 
which is the only disease with which it is liable to be con- 
founded. 

Treatment. — The horse should wear a shoe with high 
heels, and a spring truss be applied to the swelling, exerting 
upon it steady compression. 

A more active plan, recommended by some, is to make a 
free puncture at the most dependent part of the swelling, and 
allow tlie whole of the fluid to drain off, keeping the punc- 
ture open for several days. Meanwhile the sack should be 
injected with a mild solution of sulphate of zinc (ten grains 
to the ounce of water), or with dilute tincture of iodine. 

No. 2.38. Tincture of iodine, 1 drachm. 

Whisky, 1 oz. 

Inject one or two teaspoonfuls. 



222 Diseases of the Horse. 

The walls of the sack should then be brought into close 
contact by a firm flannel bandage, and the horse be rested 
for a week. 

Other surgeons use a resolvent ointment, as 

No. 239. Biniodide of mercury, 1 part." 

Keats-foot oil, 7 parts. 

Hub well toojetlier, and ajjply by gentle friction every day, until the 
skin is inflamed, 

CAPPED HOCK. 

Definition. — A swelling on and around the point of the 
hock, caused either by an effusion into the tendon of the gas- 
trocnemius muscle — Synovial Capped Hock — or into the 
loose tissue between that tendon and the skin — Serous Capj)ed 
Hock. 

CauSGS, — Both these forms of capped hock generally pro- 
ceed from kicking and striking the point of the hock against 
some hard object, and are indicative of a vicious temper as 
well as of an unsound horse. The synovial form causes 
lameness, but the serous form does not necessarily do so. 

Treatment. — The serous form can generally be cured by 
blistering and applying firm presssure with a strong clastic 
bandage. The synovial form must be managed in the same 
manner laid down for thorough-pin, it being a disorder of a 
strictly similar nature. 

SIDE BONES. 

Definition. — A change to a bony substance, taking'place in 
the lateral cartilages of the fore feet. 

Causes. — This change is usually found in heavy draught 
horses, and is attributed to the over expansion of the car- 
tilages from the great weight of the animal, added to a he- 
reditary tendency, and shoeing with high calks. 



Side Bones. 223 

Symptoms. — Lameness is Jiofc invariably present, but the 
action of the horse is ''stilty ;" the feet are contracted, altered 
in form, flat or convex in the sole, and weak in the heels. 

The presence of the side bones may be detected by pressing 
upon the cartilages ; when in iiealth these arc yielding and 
elastic, but when ossified they lose this character and are 
hard, enlarged and unyielding. 

The lameness of side bones diifers from that caused by 
ring bones. In side bone lameness the toe of the foot is first 
brought to the ground ; M'hen both feet are involved, there 
are a shortness of step and a want of elasticity in the action, 
resembling that of "grogginess" (p. 209). 

Treatment. — This must be by the use of the bar shoe ; 
rest to the limb ; counter-irritation by blisters and firing. 
Removal of the cartilages with the knife has been tried in 
France, but without satisfactory results. 



224 Disea-^cs of the liorse. 

CHAPTER IX. 

WOUNDS AXD INJURIES, AND THEIR RESULTS. 

T/ie General Treatment of Wounds; To check bleeding ; ( 'Iccm- 
ing the tvound; Restoring the position of the parts ; To pre- 
vent inflammation . 

sprains or Strains. 

Strains of the shoulder and leg ; Rheumatic joint ; Sprain of 
the flexor muscles ; Shoulder Slip; Sprain of the back sin- 
ews, or flexor tendons. 

Injuries of the Foot and Lower Leg; Lnterfering ; Over- 
reach; Tread, or Ccdking ; Speedy cut ; Brushing. 

Wounds of the Ixnees — Bi oken Knees. 

Elboio Sprain — Elbow Lameness. 

Breaking Down — Strain or Rupture of the Suspcnsori/ Liga- 
ments. 

Wind-gcdls. 

Curb — Sprain of the Ccdcaneo-cuboid Ligaments . 

Poll Evil. 

Fistulous Vflthers. 

Rotten Bone — Necrosis and Caries of Bones. 

Frostbite. 

Burns and Scalds. 

Stings and Bit&s. 

Hernia — Rujjture — Burst. 

Choking. 

THE GENERAL TREATMENT OF WOUNDS.' 

Wliatever form of wound we are called upon to treat, we 
should proceed to attend to four points to wit : 

1. To stop the bleeding, if any. 

2. To wash and clean the wound thorouffhh'. 



Treatiiiod of Wounds. 225 

3. To bring the parts as near as possible into their nr.tural 
positions, and keep them there. 

4. To guard against excessive inflammation. 

The means we have to accomplish these residts are as fol- 
lows : — 

1. To Check Blscding. — If the blood is bright red, and 
flows in spurts or jets, an artery has been cut. ^ts open end 
must be sought for, seized with the forceps, drawn out a little 
and tied with a thread. A little practice will enable any one 
to do this with great ease. 

If the flow is steady and of dark blood, it need cause no 
anxiety. Batliing the part in alum water (1 oz. of alum, iu 
powder, to a pint of water), rubbing it with a piece of ice, or 
sponging it with clean water will quickly check it. 

2. Cleaning the Wound. — This is best done by pouring- 
water on it from a height, not rubbing it M'ith sponges or 
rags. Pieces of hair, dirt, etc., can be picked out with the 
forceps. Nothing is so useful for a cleansing wash as a weak 
solution of carbolic acid, one or two ounces of the acid to a 
gallon of water. 

3. Restoring the Position of the Parts. — The edges of a cut 
wound should be carefully brought together and sewed or held 
by sticking plaster. A broken bone should be replaced iu 
its natural position and held there l)y splints. Strong curved 
surgical needles should be in the outfit of every stock owner, 
and he should practice their use on the dead animal. Where 
they are not convenient, the edges of a wound may be held 
together by inserting a strong pin and a twisted sutui^e, as 
shown on ]iage 67. 

The sutures are generally removed on the fifth or sixth 
day. 

As to local applications, after the wound is thus put u]>, 
they are to be found in any quantity. Some good surgeoi..i 

10 



22G Diseases of the Horse. 

advocate nothing but a dry bandage; others a Avet one, 
moistened with cold or hot water, carbolic acid water, crea- 
sote and water, tar, petroleum solution of borax, and many 
other substances. Wet clay has been praised. And there 
are a great many ointments, balsams, oils, etc. 

Whisky and water, equal parts, either simple or contain- 
ing one grain of corrosive sublimate to the pint, is an excel- 
lent dressing. 

4. To Prevent Inflammation. The older surgeons had a 
great fear of "wound fever," and to prevent it were wont to 
bleed and starve their patients after an injury. This notion 
has long since disappeared from human surgery, but still 
holds its grounds with some veterinarians. It is a pernicious 
error. ^ 

All that is needed to prevent too violent reaction after a 
wound — and that is what was meant by wound fever — is to 
keep the animal quiet, and if feverish symptoms appear, to 
])ut an ounce of saltpetre in the drink, night and morning, 
and administer a gentle purge. If there is much pain, noth- 
ing equals a full dose of opium, either in the shape of lauda- 
num by the mouth or of morphia beneath the skin. 

The dressings on the wound should be neatly and com- 
fortably applied, and then not often changed. Cloths wet 
with weak carbolic acid water two or three times a day are 
never approached by flies or maggots, a point that must al- 
ways be watched in the lower animals. 

Often the wound is not seen for purposes of treatment 
until days after it has occurred, and after it has become foul, 
ulcerous, bad smelling, with ragged edges and perhaps filled 
with maggots. 

Here the first step is to clean and disinfect it thoroughly. 
To kill the maggots it may be freely sprinkled with calomel. 
This will penetrate into the recesses of the wound and 
destroy them promjjtly. Ragged edges and pieces of dead 



Treatment of Wounds. 227 

skin should be cut away, loose shreds removed with the 
scissors, and the wound washed by pouring warm water on it 
from a height. When in this manner it is well cleaned it 
should be thoroughly swabbed with a feather, or a piece of 
tow on the end of a stick, with a disinfecting and stimulating 
lotion, in which also pieces of tow, lint or rag should be wet 
and laid in and over the wound ; the whole to be covered 
by a bandage wet with the same. The wetting should be 
repeated two or three times a day, but the bandage need not 
be removed as long as the part appears progressing favorably 
and the animal is comfortable. 

Of such disinfecting and stimulating lotions we shall give 
a number of formulas, so that when the ingredients of one 
are not convenient another may be chosen : — 



No. 240. 


Alcoliol or whisky, 


1 lunt, 




Corrosive sublimate, 


1 grain. 


No. 241. 


Carbolic acid. 


2 drachms, 




Water, 


] pint. 


No. 242. 


Powdered alum, 


^ oz, 




Sugar of lead, 


i oz. 




Water, 


Ipt. 


No. 243. 


Hvdrate of chloral. 


' I oz. 




Water, 


i pt. 


A very excellent aiiplication. 




No. 244. 


Creasote, 


1 drachm. 




Water, 


Iqt. 


No. 245. 


Chloride of zinc, 


1 drachm, 




"Water, 


1 qt. 


No. 24G. 


Tar, 


\v^. 




Boiling water. 


1 gal. 


Crude petroleum is an excellent 


application also. 



228 Diseases of tlie Horse. 

SPRAINS OR STRAINS. 

Definition. — Stretching of a niusele,sinew or cartilage, with 
rupture or other injuiy to some of its fibres. 

Causes. — Spraius may arise from sudden violent exertion, 
or long continued slight overtasking of the parts. They are 
common in the horse, which is so frequently set to work 
above his powers; and they cause a number of lamenesses, of 
frequent recurrence. 

Symptoms. — Strains are always followed by more or less 
inflammation, characterized by pain and tenderness, heat and 
swelling in and around the part strained. Unless relieved 
by proper measures, this condition is very liable to load to 
one of atrophy or withering in the part, a form of unsound- 
ness which is familiarly known in the horse as a siccny, 
from the German word scliwindcn, to grow less, to disappear, 

Treatment. — The general line of treatment in sprains and 
strains may be stated as follows : (1) Give tlie part rest; 
(2) Reduce the early inflammation by cold or hot water fo- 
mentations, cooling lotions, etc. (3) Firm and steady pres- 
sure by bandages, to prevent "bagging" (serous infiltration) ; 
(4) Counter-irritations and gentle but regular use, to prevent 
stiffness and sweeny. 

In carrying these principles out we may use, to reduce in- 
flammation, either plain cold or quite hot water, whichev^er 
gives most relief. Or we can employ some of the many 
evaporating and refrigerant lotions which have been suggest- 
ed, as, for example — ■ 

No. 247. Sal ammoniac, 1 oz. 

Nitrate of potash, '2 oz. 

Water, 1 pint. 

Mix and use as soon as it is made. 

No. 248. Acetate of lead, 1 oz. 

Vinegar, 
Water, each, 1 pint. 

An efficient, cheap and useful lo;4on. 



Ireatmevt of Sprains. 229 

No. 249. Spirits of camphor, 1 oz. 

Vinegar, 4 oz. 

AVater, 1 pt. 
Also cheap and effective. 

No. 250. Tincture of arnica. ^ oz. 

Water, 1 pt. 

A very popular lotion. Eminent surgeons, however, doubt whether 
the good effect is not owing to the alcohol in the tincture rather 
than the arnica. 

After the inflammation has subsided there are ahnost ahvay.s 
stiiFness, swelling and pain on motion of the part, often very 
slow to disperse, and particularly so in old patients. A host 
of substances are used for rubbing and irritating the surface, 
in order to stimulate the vessels and bring about the absorp- 
tion of the effusion. As among the most eiFective of these, 
we mention oleate of mercury, already described (see page 
181), and the ointments of the iodide of mercury (No. 
162), and of iodine (No. 81). Any one of these dili- 
gently and persistently used will generally dissipate the 
swelling. 

Others of value are the two following, recommended by 
Mr. Dun : — 



No. 


251. 


Mercurial ointment, 
Cam])hor, 
Oil of tar, 
Linseed oil, each 




2oz. 

1 dr-chm. 

4 oz. 


No. 


252. 


Mercurial ointment, 

Ci-easote, 

Solution of ammonia, 

Linseed oil, 




2oz. 

1 drachm. 

2oz. 

6oz. 


k^Ir. 


Gamgee speaks favorably 


of— 




No. 


, 253. 


Iodine, 
Glycerine, 




2 oz. 






Mercurial ointment, each 


2 oz. 






Olive oil, 




6 oz. 



All of the above are excellent combinations, useful not 
only in the swellings from old sprains and strains, but in 
those from chronic rheumatism, scrofulous enlarged glands 



230 Disease.^ of tho llorae. 

(as in the slow form of strangles, goitre, etc.), and the late re- 
sults of inflammation of the udder, in weed, etc. 
To those we may add — 

No. 254:. Oil of turpentine, 1 oz. 

Spirits of cami:)hor, 2 oz. 

Specially recommended for pains in the shoulder, threatened with 
sweeny. 

No. 255. Iodine, 1 oz. 

Soap liniment, 12 oz. 

For callous swellings after bruises, and chronic glandular enlarge- 
ments. 

STRAINS OF THE SHOULDER AND LEG. 

Lameness which has its seat in the shoulder joint may be 
owing to three different conditions. 

1st. Rheumatism or injury in the joint. 

2d. Strain of the back or flexor muscles. 

3d. Shoulder slip. 

We shall proceed to consider briefly each of these. 

l.S'/. Rheiunatlsm or Injury m the Joint. 

This is what is generally meant by the term " shoulder 
lameness." The gait of the horse reveals the seat of the dis- 
ease at once to a practiced eye. He does not carry his limb 
straight forward, but with a circular or swinging motion, the 
foot being thrown outward, so that the toe is made to describe 
the arc of a circle. Sometimes the toe is drao-ffed alon<r the 
ground, pain in lifting the foot being characteristic of shoul- 
der and knee lameness, while pain in putting it down is char- 
acteristic of foot lamenesses. 

If when the horse is at rest the limb be moved backward 
and forward, he will shrink and show distinctly the hurt he 
feels. Sometimes swelling and heat about the joint can be 
discovered, 

2c?. Sprain of the Flexor Muscle. 

This is the muscle which lifts and advances the limb, and 



Sprains and Strains. 231 

it is quite common ft)r it to suffer from over exertion. It 
will be found swollen and tender along its whole course. 
Such an accident is espe^^'ially common in plough horses, and 
is nearly always on the offside, because the liinl)S and shoul- 
ders are thrown into an irrrcgular position by walking in the 
furrow. Such horses will work on the road without any 
lameness, but will show it as soon as they are put to the 
plough. 

3. Shoulder Slij). 

By this is meant a peculiar outward slipping movement of 
the shoulder joint at each step the animal takes when the foot 
of the lame limb is upon the ground, and the opposite one 
lifted. It might be supposed that each step threw the 
shoulder out of joint. But this is not the case. The cause 
of the trouble is the relaxation of the muscles which usually 
hold the bone firmly into the cavity of the joint (those mu'- 
cles called by anatomists the anterior spinatus, the posterior 
spinatus, and the external round muscle). This allows the 
bone to slip around loosely, spoils the gait, and is liable to be 
followed by sweeny. 

Treatment. — The management of these injuries must be 
on the general principles laid down for sprains. When re- 
cent, and when inflammation is j)reseut, the horse should be 
slung, and the part treated witli cold or hot fomentations. 

Generally, however, a more important question is what to 
do with such cases in their chronic stage, when they are of 
long standing. Some horse doctors claim vast skill in their 
treatment of sweeny, their process always being a profound 
mystery. 

The best books on the subject do not have other recom- 
mendation for the restoration of the muscles when wasted 
than the repeated applications of moderately stimulating lini- 



232 Diseases of the Horse. 

ments, and mild blisters, and a long- period of rest in the 
barn-yard or at grass. 

There are two agents, however, worth trying : The one is the 
hypodermic injection of strychnia, one-half to one grain daily, 
inamediately over the "sweenied" muscle; and the other the 
steady and intelligent use of electricity. When the animal 
is a valuaV)le one, it will pay to have one or both these 
measures carried out by a skillful person. 

SPRAIN OF THE BACK SINEWS, OR FLEXOR TENDONS. 

This strain or diseased condition of the back sinews is gen- 
erally seen in cart horses and others required to pull heavy 
loads. It is a very common variety of lameness. The 
sinew becomes swollen, tender, enlarged and a little shortened, 
so that the horse stands on his toes and cannot put his heels 
to the ground. The leg is held stiff and upright and the toe 
dug into the ground. 

The treatment required is a high-heeled shoe, Avitli rest, 
and stimulating liniments. In old cases, where there is much 
shortening, the sinew may be divided beneath the skin, by 
the operation called tenotomy. To perform this requires a 
cloKB knowledge of the anatomy of the parts, to avoid wound- 
ing the artery, so that it had better be left to the professional 
veterinarian. 

INJURIES OF THE FOOT AND LOWER LEG. 

Tnterfenng. — This is an injury of the fetlock, caused by a 
blow by the op|)Osite fo.t. It is commonly seen in young 
and awkward, or else ill-shod horses, and can generally be 
prevented by judicious shoeing and protecting the fetlock 
with a piece of leather. 

An Overreach is an injury to the coronet of the fore foot 
bv the shoo of the hind foot. It, too, is often owing to im- 



Wounds (Hid Lijxries. 23.3 

proper shoeing, but some horses, when travclino; at u rapid 
gait, are liable to the act-ident, although M-ell shod. 

A Tread or ( '(''.[-nif/ is a wound upon the coronet l)y the 
shoe of another foot of the same animal; or by the foot of 
another animal when crowded together, as at fair. ^ in rail- 
road cars, etc. It is liable to bring on quittor, and thus 
cause serious damage. 

A Speedy Cut is a contusion on the fore leg, either above 
or below the knee joint. It generally occurs when the horse 
is pushed to considerable speed, and is a dangerous accident 
to both horse and rider, as the animal is apt to fall down 
suddenly, from the violence of the pain. It can sometimes 
be prevented by careful shoeing, but this does not succeed 
with some horses. In such it constitues, in law, an unsound- 
ness. 

Brushluf/ is caused by the shoe of one foot striking against 
the fetlock. It is generally in the hind limbs, and in 
young horses or those exhausted and out of condition. The 
remedy is to use preventive shoes, according to tiic nature of 
the injury. 

Most of these injuries may be lessened or prevented by a 
scientific manner of shoeing, for which no specitic directions 
can be well given, as the form and manner of fastening the 
shoe must vary with the particular foot and the particular 
nature of the injury. As for the treatment of the latter it- 
self, it will be in accordance with the general treatment of 
wounds and injuries as laid down on pp. 225, etc. 

WOUNDS OF THE KNEES— BROKEN KNEES. 

Any injury whatever to the knee of a horse may have dis- 
astrous results, and should be closely watched; nor should 
a purchaser accept as sound an animal that is scarred or at 
all swollen at the knees. 'AH careful horsemen give the 
closest attention to such injuries, and treat them as follows: 



234 Z)^s(Y^s'('.s of tJie Horse. 

1. When the skin is bruised hut not cut. — Tie up the ani- 
mal's head so that he cannot lie clown ; sponge the knee re- 
peatedly with a cooling lotion (No. 247): if there is much 
swelling give a purge. 

2. When the skin is cut. — Clean the wound very carefully, 
by repeated washing, and if needed a poultice, then clip the 
hair around it, and fasten the edges together with sticking 
plaster, and bandage lightly. Never stitch or pin a knee 
wound. Stitches will not hold and always blemish. 

3. WJien the sheath, of the sinew is torn open. — The swell- 
ing is generally very considerable, Init the wound appears 
worse than it will prove to be if careful treatment is used. 
Tie the horse up, clean and fasten the parts together, as above 
directed, give a brisk purge, use saltpetre daily in the water, 
and when the wound is healing hasten absorption by stimu- 
lating liniments. If the wound becomes unhealthy, syringe 
it with weak carbolic acid water (one drachm to the pint). 

4. WJien the sincic is torn and the joint opened. — A Avound 
of this severity will either kill the horse, from the fever, . 
suppuration and exhaustion which arc certain to follow; or, 
if he recovers from these, W'ill leave him with a stiff joint 
and lame for life. It is only in exceptional cases, therefore, 
that it is worth while to try to save him. He should be 
treated as last described, with the addition of strong tonics, 
to keep up his strength. 

ELBOW LAMENESS, ELBOW SPRAIN. 

A lameness which arises from a disease of the elbow joint 
or a sprain of its ligaments, shows itself by a half-bent 
position of tiie limb while the horse is standing; unwilling- 
ness to lift the foot far from the ground; and an excessive 
dropping or nodding of the head and shoulders when in 
motion. * 

The cause of a sprain at this ])oint is usually the horse's 



Strains and t^prains, 235 

fore leg slipping outward or forward on the ground, in frosty 
weather. The usual signs of inflammation may generally 
be discovered around the elbow, on examination. 

BREAKING DOWN— STRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 

The suspensory ligament is at the back part of the knee, 
and passes down to the foot. Its strain usually takes place in 
young, fast horses who are speeded beyond their powers. 
When it comes on suddenly, with actual tearing of the liga- 
ments, the horse at once becomes excessively, and often per- 
manently, lame, and the injury is called " breaking down." 
It may also appear gradually, and then, if taken in time, a 
few months' rest and the ordinary treatment will restore the 
parts to their original strength. 

The lameness, when from " breaking clown," appears sud- 
denly, in either the fore or hind leg; there is intense pain, 
heat and swelling, the horse turns up his toes, and there is a 
falling of the fetlock pads. He stands on his fetlocks, as it 
were, the toe being turned up and the sole looking forward. 
The same symptoms, in a much milder form, mark the slower 
and insidious form "of the injury. 

WINDGALLS. 

Definition. — Dropsy of the bursa of the sesamoid bones at 
the back part of the fetlock, or inflammation of the bones 
themselves, with effusion. 

This injury shows itself when it is in the form of wind- 
galls, as soft, puffy swellings about the size of a hickory nut, 
to the back and sides of the fetlock. They are not consid- 
ered an unsoundness, as they can generally be dispersed by a 
stimulating liniment and wearing a high-heeled shoe. Or 
the swelling may be opened, tlie fluid allowed to escape, and 
the sac nijccted, as recommended for bog spavin, page 219. 



236 Diseases of the Hoise. 

But there is a liard variety of wiiulg-all, M-Jiere the small 
" sesamoid" bones tliemselves are influ'.ned, and this is a more 
serious matter. The horse is then lame, going on. his toe, 
and there is heat and and swelling at the baek of the fetloeiv. 
The swelling is tense and hard, qnite different from the 
"boggy" feel of common windgall. 

For the relief of the latter, it is recommended to ])laee tlie 
animal in slings, and to bathe the part steadily with cold 
water ; when the tenderness lessens, give liim rest, and let 
him for a long time wear only high-heeled shoes. 

CURB. 

Definition. — A sprain of one of the ligauients of the foot 
(the calcaneo-cuboid ligament). 

Symptoms, — Curb j^resents itself in s(Mne instances as a 
small, hard nodule upon the lower part of the back portion 
of the hock. In others it is an elastic, moderately soft, but 
firm and easily seen protuberance on the back of the hock, 
four to five inches below the point of the heel bone (os calcis). 
Hocks which are bent over are most liable to curb. 

The lameness curb produces is marked by difficulty in ex- 
tending the hock, and in some severe cases by the animal 
keeping the limb elevated so as to relax the ligaments. 

Treatment. — The shoe should have a high heel, and the 
part be })laced at rest and treated with cold water and cool- 
ing lotions as long as any inflammation remains, as evidenced 
by heat and tenderness. 

When this has disappeared, it will often be found that 
the swelling remains in a chronic condition. To induce its 
absorption, steady friction with an absorbent ointment is 
usually successful, as — 

No. 256. Biniodide of mercury, 1 drachm. 

Lard, 1 oz. 



Curb and Poll Evil 2;i7 

Aftrr cutting the hair over the swclliug, a little of this 
may be rubbed in every night, until a free watery discharge 
is produced on the surface. The leg should be fomented with 
hot M^ater, to encourage the flow, and if after a week's time 
the curb has not disappeared, the ointment should be applied 
again in a similar manner. 

POLL EVIL. 

Definition. — A fistulous ulcer, situated immediately be- 
hind the ears of the horse. 

Cause. — Poll evil is caused by accidental violence, or more 
frequently by the use of a tight, bearing rein. 

SymptomSi — In its first stage, it is a soft tumor, surrounded 
by a tender swelling, with stiffness of the neck. Later, it 
breaks externally, and forms a deep ulcer or abscess, discharg- 
ing unhealthy, ill-smelling matter. The fistula may extend 
tleep into the structures of the neck, sometiines even to the 
neck bone, and the joint between the head and the neck, caus- 
ing intense suffering. In such cases, if a probe is inserted 
and i)ushed carefully along the track of the fistula, the bone 
can be felt at its bottom. 

Treatment. — If seen early, when there is no external open- 
ing, the horse should have a moderate purge, and the part be 
kept M'et Avith cold water or a cooling solution, as — 

No. 257. Tincture of arnica, 2 oz. 

Vinegar, 

Water, each 1 qt. 

Lay cloths on the swelling, and wet them frequently with this. 

If the inflammation is overcome, the hardness remaining 
can be dispersed by rubbing with an ointment of iodine or 
iodide of mercury, as — 

Ko. 258. louine, 1 drachm. 

Lard, 1 oz. 

Mix for an ointment. 



238 Diseases of the Horse. 

No attempt should be made to open the swelling unless 
pus can be distinctly felt, when it cannot be done too prompt- 
ly. A free cut should be made, the wound kept open for 
about a week, the part fomented, and the pus gently pressed 
out. 

Often the case is first seen when the pus has burrowed into 

the neck, making long fistulas or pipes. Here the treatment 

is difficult. The fistulas must be freely opened to their ends 

by a sharp scalpel, the bone scrajied, if diseased, and the 

Avhole thoroughly washed and syringed every day with a 

cleansing and stimulating lotion, as — 

No. 259. Chloride of zinc, 30 grains. 

Water, 1 quart. 

Or, 

No 260. Tincture of the cliloride of iron, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 quart. 

When the joint is attacked, the case is desperate, and the 
animal may as well be killed. 

In less severe cases setons inserted from the original open- 
ing along the track and down to the bottom of the fistulas, 
and then brought out upon the opposite side of the poll, are 
very successful, and do away with the necessity of using the 
knife. 

FISTULOUS WITHERS. 

This injury closely resembles poll evil. It is caused by 
bruises from ill-fitting saddles, and those horses are most 
liable to it who have high withers. 

Symptoms. — In the early stage there is an enlargement 
of the heads of the spinous processes M'ith heat and tenderness. 
This continues and leads to the formation of an abscess; but 
as, on account of the position of the withers at the top of the 
horse in standing, the pus cannot escape, it sinks down- 
ward, burrowing in between the skin and the muscles, or 



Fistuhm Withers. 239 

araono- the muscles themselves which connect the shoakler 
blade with the trunk. Consequently, the inflammation ex- 
tends, there is serious lameness of tlie shoulder, and the 
animal suffers generally. 

Treatment. — In the early stage, the spinous processes, as 
soon as they are noticed to be inflamed, must be protected 
from pressure and dressed with cooling lotions. Later, when 
it is evident that pus is formed, by the fluctuating feel of the 
abscess, it should be freely opened by an incision as low down 
as possible on the right side, as most horses lie down on that 
side, and the escape of the pus is thus favored. The abscess 
should be syringed with carbolic acid water (1 to 2 ), and 
dressed with a carbolic acid salve (1 to 8), or petroleum. 

In older cases, where a fistula has already formed, running 
down into the shoulder, careful search should be made for 
its lowest pouch which contains the pus. This will be either 
before or behind the shoulder. A free incision should be 
made into it, and the fistula syringed and dressed as above. 
Sometimes a more active stimulus is required to make the 
sides of the fistula take on healthy action. A seton tape 
may then be passed through the fistula from end to end, and 
left there. Or the following injection may be freely injected 
mto every part of the fistula, two or three times a weak : — 

No. 261. Chloride of zinc, 1 drachm. 

Water, 1 pint. 

These measures, coml)ine(l with general tonics and good care, 
will be quite certain to bring about good results. 

ROTTEN BONE,— NECROSIS AND CARIES OF BONE. 

Definition. — A decay of the bone, owing to its death from 
inflammation. It is called by veterinarians "necrosis," when 
it attacks the shaft or body of the bone, and " caries," Avhen 
it is confined to its ends, at the joints (Williams). 



240 Discuses of the Horse. 

Causes. — These, in nearly all instances, are wounds and 
injuries of some kind, or the result of the very severe inflam- 
mation which follows thera. Thus the bone is liable to 
decay in. founder, poll evil, after severe kicks, cracked or 
fractured bones, etc. 

Symptoms. — Severe and painful inflammation in the part 
is followed by one or several abscesses, which break but do 
not heal, remaining as fistulas. The discharge at first may be 
odorless, but after a time gives off a peculiar and very fetid 
odor, easily recognized by one familiar with it, as proceeding 
from decaying bone. If a probe is carefully inserted into 
the fistula, and made to follow its course, it will reach the 
decayed bone, and give a dry grating feel to the finger. 

Treatment. — The most prompt treatment of necrosis, 
when it is in a position to permit of it conveniently, is to cut 
freely down upon the decayed bone, scrape it clean with a 
scraper, remove all loose pieces, wash the wound witli car- 
bolic acid water or De Morgan's chloride of zinc lotion 
(No. 217), and treat the cut like any other wound. 

This cannot always be done, for various reasons, and then 
the next best procedure is to open the fistulas so as to admit 
of throwing injections to their bottom, and wash them out* 
once a day, for a week or two, Avitli "Villate's Solution." 

No. 262. Sulphate of zinc, 

Sulphate of copper, each, .] oz. 

Solution of subacetate of lead, 1 oz. 

White wine vinegar, (> ozs. 

Use one part of this to ten of water, by means of a syringe. 

The upper and lower jaws, from their exposed situation, 
and from the abuse of the l>it with long levers, and from in- 
juries to the teeth, and also the roof of the mouth, are par:s 
especially liable to caries, the ulcers being inside the mouth. 
The sore caused is characteristic. There is a depression, in- 
dicating a loss of substance, which contains a fungous growth 



Diseases of the Bone. 241 

of "proud flesh," wliich is not attached to the sides, but only 
to the bottom of the ulcer. There is a watery and offensive 
discharge, but as this flows inside the mouth and becomes 
mixed with the saliva, often the only circumstance which 
calls attention to the presence of the disease is the bleeding 
from the mouth Avhen the bit is in place. The mouth is full 
of a slightly" bloody pink froth. 

This form of caries is best treated by ceasing to use the 
bit, and touching the sore repeatedly with the nitrate of sil- 
ver stick, which should be pushed deeply into it and held 
for a second or two. By judiciously continuing this for a 
few weeks, taking care not to use the caustic more than 
enough to keep down the proud flesh, a cure can be effected 
without the necessity of cutting dt)wn and scraping the bone. 
Nevertheless, Avhen time is an object, the latter is much the 
more expeditious plan. The horse should be cast, and 
chloroformed, the granulations removed with the knife, the 
dead bone scraped away, and the wound swabbed with the 

solution of chloride of zinc. 

j 

FROSTBITE. 

This is caused by prolonged exposure to the cold, espe- 
cially by standing in the snow, and in half-thawed slush, as 
is so often the case in the cities. 

The skin of tlie part becomes weaker, turns of a purple 
color, is easily inflamed, cracks, and discharges a bloody- 
looking fluid. 

In more severe and sudden cases the skin and underlying 
tissues become pale, insensible and shriveled. The skin, 
particularly on the heel, will slough across from side to side, 
forming a deep crack, a condition familiarly called "cracked 
heel." 

Treatment. — Where the skin is unbroken, and the ex- 
posure has not been for a long enough time to destroy the 

16 



242 Diiicascs of the Horse. 

life of the part, it should be briskly rubbed with snow for 
five or ten minutes. The foot should then be put in a bucket 
of- cold water, and the friction continued until there is a re- 
turn of warmth. 

The raw surfaces and sores which follow on neglected frost- 
bite are particularly slow to heal, on account of the diiuiu- 
ishcd vitality of the tissues. Mr. Dun recommends as a valu- 
able application — 

No. 263. Extract of belladonna, 1 to 2 drachms. 

Hub this up with an ounce of the petroleum ointment or lard, and 
apply twice a day. 

It may advantageously be combined as follows : — 

No. 264. Extract of belladonna, 1 drachm. 

Ointment of red oxide of mercury, 1 oz. 
Eub together and apply daily to the ulcerated patches. 

BURNS AND SCALDS. 

These are quite common in horses employed about iron 
"works, factories and steam mills. 

In all severe cases there is fever, often preceded l)y shiv- 
ering, coldness of the ears and legs, prostration of strength, 
and a quick and feeble pulse. The surface of the burned part 
will become pale and leathery, or will crack, and a watery 
discharge will flow from it. Swelling and inflanamation 
come next, and an effort of nature is made to separate the dead 
from the living tissues by suppuration. 

The most troublesome burns in horses are about the shoul- 
der and elbow, as, owing to the continual motion of these 
parts, a wound upon them is very slow to heal. 

Treatment. — The traditional treatment of burns is, to 
smear them over, several times a day, with what is called 
Carron oil, It is made as follows : — 

No. 26-"). Lime water, 

Linseed oil, equal parts. 

Mix, and apply direct to the burned surface, dredging flour over it, to 
thicken it. 



Treatment of Burns and Scalds. 243 

A still better, and often a more easily obtainable, applica- 
tion is ordinary bicarbonate of soda — baking soda. This may 
be dredged directly on the part, or stirred up Avith water to 
a thick paste and laid over the bm-u. The relief it causes is 
immediate. 

In milder burns, a cheap and very excellent application is, 
to paint the whole of the burned surface with several thick 
coats of ordinary ivJiite lead paint. On the large surfaces of 
horses and cattle, this is the most convenient of all dressings. 
After being well covered, carded cotton should be laid over 
the paint, and the whole covered by a moderately firm ban- 
dage. No further dressing is needed, as the pain is at once 
allayed, and the burned surface heals kindly under the* im- 
penetrable cover thus giveu it. 

No. 266. Alnm, powdered, 2 oz. 

Water, 1 pint. 

An excellent application for fresh burns and scalds. The part 
should be soaked with it, and cloths wet with it applied to tlie sur- 
face. 

When the parts ulcerate, they should be well washed out 
with warm water, with a little carbolic acid in it, or with tar 
water, and the following dusted over the surface with a flour 
dredger : — 

Ko. 267* Oxide of zinc, 1 oz. 

Starch (or rye Hour), 2 oz. 

Whenever more moisture appears, this sliould be dredged 
on again, so as to keep the parts covered with a thick, dry 
crust. 

STINGS AND BITES. 

Hornets, wasps and bees often attack animals, and some- 
times cause them serious injuries. 

Solution of ammonia, or a weak carbolic acid wash ( I oz. 
to a quart of water), will promptly relieve the smarting. 



244 Diseases of the Horse. 

Lime water, alone or containing a draehra of comraercial 
carbolic acid to the pint, is very soothing; while others 
speak highly of the oil of lobelia, promptly apjjlied. 
HERNIA— RTJPTUKE— BURST. 

Definition. — A protrusion of any portion of the bowels, 
or their coverings, through a rent or opening in the walls of 
the abdomen. 

Causes. — Ruptures are cpiite common in the horse. They 
are often seen about the navel at birth, and disappear with- 
out any treatment, during the first year of life. Stallions 
are more liable to them than geldings. They may be OAving 
to constitutional weakness in the walls of the belly; or to 
violent efforts and strains tearing the muscular structure; or 
to kicks, blows and similar violence. 

SjTIiptomS. — These differ as to the part of the abdominal 
wall which has given way. There is usually a visible tumor 
or bulging, which has a hollow sound on percussion, and on 
feeling it between the fingers the contents are felt to slip 
upon each other. Often, by properly directed pressure the 
gut is slipped back into the belly, and the tumor disajjpears, 
but returns as soon as the animal makes any exertion. 

When the hernia is inflamed the tumor is tender, hot to 
the touch, and there are signs of colic, and often constipation. 
In the ruptures which take jilace in stallions when a part of 
the gut passes into the inguinal canal, there are symptoms of 
severe colic, which has the peculiarity that the animal seems 
relieved of the pain when he lies uj)on his back, a position 
he retains for half an hour at a time. 

When the rupture is "strangulated," that is, when the gut 
is caught and pinched in a narrow slit in the abdominal walls, 
the suffering is very intense; the body is covered with cold 
sweat, the animal sighs, the eyes become bloodshot and the 
pujiils wide and staring. 



Treatment of Bupture. 245 

Treatment. — The general treatment of ruj)tiire is as 
follows : — 

When the gut can be returned to the abdomen, a pad, 
such as a smooth piece of wood, should be placed over the 
part, and kept in position by a firm leather or rubber band- 
age, which will not slip, and which can be tightened. This 
should be worn for months, until the rent is healed. 

When the hernia is inflamed and strangulated, the animal 
should be chloroformed to insensibility, and gentle and re- 
peated efforts made to return the parts. This will often 
succeed if intelligent and persistent efforts are used. When 
returned, cold lotions should be applied, and a well-fitting 
bandage. 

In case return is impossible, and the distress is severe, the 
skin must be opened down to the sack, taking great care not 
to cut into it, and a blunt-pointed bistoury be slipped up be- 
tween the gut and the edges of the rent or slit in tlie abdomi- 
nal walls and these edges cut and nicked very slightly, 
thus allowing the gut to be replaced. This is a safe, easy 
and successful operation, if one is well acquainted with the 
anatomy of the parts ; but should only be tried as a last re- 
sort, in otherwise hopeless cases, by a person who has no 
special knowledge of the kind. 

CHOKING. 

This accident is, in the horse, usually caused by some arti- 
cle of food, as a potatoe, apple, or piece of dry fodder, lodg- 
ing in the gullet. A common substance in England to cause 
choking is an egg, many grooms there having the absurd 
idea that an e^g given whole has a beneficial effect on the 
horse's condition. 

The symptoms in choking are violent efforts at swallowing, 
with the throat and neck spasmodically drawn up. Some- 
times the offending substance is visible to the eye, or to be 



246 Diseases of the Horse. 

felt by tlie hand i)assed down the front of the neck. Should 
the animal try to swallow, the fluid is returned by the nos- 
trils. There are coughing, slavering, a look of great dis- 
tress in the face, cold sweats and exhaustion. 

Treatment. — Whenever the obstacle can be reached with 
the hand or with a pair of forceps, it is to be withdrawn 
through the mouth. The tongue should be pulled well out 
of the mouth, and this kept well opened, while the operator 
removes the substance. 

V^Hieu this cannot be done, and the object can be felt from 
the outside, it is to be loosened by being gently pushed up- 
ward and downward. Sometimes this maneuver can be aided 
Ijy having the animal sw^allow some sweet oil. This, or some 
other fluid should always be used if the object is dry, as fod- 
der, chaff", etc. 

If this plan fails also, it becomes necessary to use a prohang 
and push the offending substance down into the stomach. 
This is a difficult job in the horse, though much less so in 
cattle. The following rules should be observed : — 

Directions for ZVing the Prohang. 

1. Raise the animal's nose so that the mouth and throat 
are in a straight line. 

2. Keep the neck straight. 

3. Push the probang gently down the gullet, taking care 
not to injure, still less to enter, the windpipe. 

4. When the end of the probang reaches the object, do 
not push strong upon it, but gently, and for but a few seconds 
at a time, then again after a few seconds of rest. 

In cases where the object is so solidly caught in the gullet 
that even the probang fails, the next resource is to cut down 
upon it and remove it. An assistant presses the off* side of 
the neck, so as to make it bulge as much 'as possible on the 



Ujjcratioii J'or Choking. 247 

near side where the operator stands. The latter, with one 
bold cut of a sharp knife, divides the skin gullet and 
tissues down to the offending substance, making a cut long 
enough to remove it. This should be promptly done, and the 
edges of the cut brought together and stitched, first, the walls 
of the gullet, with fine thread (or better with catgut), and 
over them the skin. For several days, or a week, the ani- 
mal should have only milk and water, or thin slops. But 
it should be added that this operation is often followed by a 
permanent narrowing or stricture of the gullet, which may 
prevent the use of solid food for the rest of the animal's life. 



248 Diseases of the Horse. 

CHAPTER X. 

DISEASES OF THE EYES. 

InflammoHon of the Eyes — Conjunctivitis. 
Periodic Ophthalmia — Moon Blindness. 
White Spot — Eye Spot — Albugo. * 

INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES— CONJUNCTIVITIS. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the outer covering of the 
eye-ball, and the lining membrane of the eyelids. 

Causes. — These may be the stroke of a whip, a bloAV, a 
cold, or some foreign substance getting into the eye and irri- 
tating it. 

Symptoms. — The eyelids are swollen, and partly closed 
and the tears flow down the cheeks. If the eyelids are turned 
up, their lining membrane will be found red and bloodshot, 
the surface of the eye itself also red, and the jmpil dull look- 
ing, while there may be the signs of some injury visible, or 
of some irritating substance. 

Treatment. — Of course the first step is to remove any 
splinter, hay seed, piece of chaif or other substance visible in 
the eye. A strong feather is often convenient for this pur- 
pose, or a small pair of forceps. If there is very much in- 
flammation, it is well to take blood from the angular vein, 
which is seen traversing the face, immediately below the eye. 
The organ can then be covered with soft cloths, and these 
repeatedly wet with clean cool water. 

Should the inflammation or the injury be so severe that it 
has involved the inner structures of the eye, great advantage 
will bo derived from smearing the eyebrows and outside of 
the evelids with — 



Imfiammation of the Eyes. 249 



No. 268. Extract of belladonna, 


1 fZ, 


Honey, 


^ OZ. 


Mix well together, for an ointment. 





Or three or four drops of the following may be dropped 
into the eye twice a day : — 

No, 269. Atropia, 4 grrains. 

Water, 1 oz. 

Mix for an eye lotion. 

Do not use that common eye wash, sugar of lead and water, 
as it leaves a dull leaden deposit on the eye ball, which is a 
permanent blemish. There are plenty of other lotions for 
the purpose, which are far better, as for example — 

No. 270. Sulphate of zinc, 3 grains. 

Water, 1 oz. 

No. 271. Powdered alum, 6 grains. 

Water, 1 oz. 

Both the above are mild astringents, very well suited for 
chronic cases of sore eyes. When there is slight but active 
inflammation, a soothing eye wash is better, as — 

No. 272. Sassafras pith, 2 oz. 

Cold water, 1 pint. 

Let it stand for a few hours, and then apjily cold to the inflamed organ. 

Another sedative eye wash is — 



No. 273. 


Solution of siibacetate 
Extract of belladonna, 
Water, 


of lead. 


2- oz. 

20 grains. 

1 pint. 


Or— 








No. 274. 


Laudanum, 

Extract of belladonna, 

Water, 




2 drachms. 
1 drachm. 
1 pint. 



PERIODIC OPHTHALMIA— MOON BLINDNESS. 

Definition. — A constitutional and probably malarial or 
rheumatic affection, leading to repeated attacks of inflamma- 
tion in the eye, and finally to cataract and blindness. 



i^oO Diaecuses of the llorsc. 

S3^ptoniSi — The disease derives its name of "moon blind- 
ness," because the attacks come on suddenly and generally at 
night. i\s it is considered incurable, and yet between the 
attacks, wliicli usually last for a week or two, the horse can 
see tolerably well, it is of chief importance to be able to re- 
cognize the signs of the liability to it. 

Mr. Percival says that when a horse presents several of 
the following symptoms, he is probably subject to the dis- 
ease: — A sunken or dull look .of one eye compared to the 
other; prominence of the winking membrane; pinkncss of 
the white of the eye; a watery state of the eye; dimness or 
cloudiness of the })upil, especially at its ecjges, and dullness 
or discoloration of the center; tlie pupil of one eye smaller 
than that of the other; haziness, milkiness, or a small white 
speck to be seen in the pupil ; a wrinkled or furrowed a])- 
pearance of the upper lid or eyebrow. Where any two or 
three of these are found, the horse is probably liable to moon 
blindness. 

To examine an eye for cataract, the horse's head should 
be turned away from a strong light, the eye shaded with a 
black hat, and if necessary the eye dilated by rubbing some 
belladonna on the lid. 

Treatment. — Moonblindness is at times no doubt of ma- 
lariiil origin, as we might judge from its periodic character, 
and in all cases a full and early trial should be made of the 
specific remedies for malarial diseases, especially Peruvian 
bark or quinine and arsenic. 

No. 275. Powdered Peruvian bark, I oz. 

Sulphate of iron, 1 drachm. 

Give twice or three times a day, and double the dose when the attack 
is expected. 

The French veterinary surgeons claim many cures by this 
method. Arsenic can be given, as Fowler's solution of ar- 
senic, an ounce once a day in the water for several weeks, 
suspending a few days now and then. 



Moonblindness. 251 

When this fails, and we are forced back to tlie rheumatic 
theory of the affection, we should attack it with a steady 
course of iodide of potash constitutionally, keeping down the 
inflammation of the eye by belladonna ointment and eye 
washes, as recommended on page 249. 

The old practitioners taught that moon blindness is due to 
the presence of the "wolf teeth," and their first step in the 
treatment was to extract them. This notion does not receive 
any countenance from the modern school ; but no harm can 
be (]one, by following the traditions in this respect ; and in 
human surgery the close sympathy of the teeth and the eyes 
is often observed. 

WHITE SPOT— EYE SPOT— ALBUGO. 

Definition. — A bluish or pearly white spot on the pupil of 
the eye, the result of inflammation, and generally causing 
some defect of sight. 

These spots are blemishes which detract considerably from 
the value of horses, more often than they should do, for they 
may interfere little or none with the sight. 

Some veterinarians attempt to remove them by blowing 
irritating matters through a quill into the eye. This rude 
and barbarous plan does generally more harm than good. 
They never entirely disappear, but they may be lessened by 
occasional light touches with a stick of nitrate of silver. 



252 Diseases of the Horse. 

CHAPTER XI. 

DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 

liingworm. 

Nettle Rash — Surfeit — Urticaria. 

Moist Tetter — JETiimid Tetter — Eczema. 

MaUcnders and Sallenders — Psoriasis of the Carpus and the 

Tarsus. 

Warbles — Grubs — Sitfasts. 

3fange — Itch. 

Lice. 

RINGWORM. 

There are two forms of ringworm in the horse, the one 
known by surgeons as herpes, wliich is an aifection of slight 
importance and not contagious ; the other called tinea which 
is contagious, obstinate and disfiguring. 

Herpes is characterized by an eruption of small blisters the 
size of a grain of wheat, on inflamed patches of skin which 
assume a circular form. It is usually owing to indigestion, 
or being shut up in a railroad car, or the hold of a ship in 
close or foul apartments. 

Contagious ringworm is, on the contrary, found on well- 
cared-for animals as w^ell as neglected ones. It attacks and 
destroys the hairs, leaving patches of baldness usually of a 
circular form, the surface of the patch being covered with 
fine, white, bran-like scales. The hairs around the edges first 
become dry and brittle, and then break off, and then the 
patch gradually extends. This form of ringworm is owing 
to a minute parasite on the skin, supposed to be a plant. 

Treatment. — For simple ringworms or herpes, it is enough 
to bathe the parts with a sugar of lead lotion, as : 

No. 276. Acetate of lead, 2 oz. 

Water, 1 pt. 



Treatment of Ringworm. 253 

And to give the horse a smart purge. After this tonics will 
be required (as No. 20) if the horse is weak and out of 
condition; and if there are scratches and small ulcers on the 
patch it should be rubbed with a stimulating ointment, as, 

No. 277. Kitrate of silver, 10 grs. 

Lard, 1 oz. 

When very obstinate, a blister can be applied directly over 
the patch which will be ju-etty sure to eifect a cure. 

The treatment of the contagious or branny variety con- 
sists in first washing the patches thoroughly with soft soap 
or weak lye, and then rubbing them with the following oint- 
ment : — 

No. 278. Iodine, i draclim. 

Iodide of potash, 1 drachm. 

Cosmoline, 1 oz. 
Mix for an ointment, to be used every day. 

The stable should be thoroughly cleaned and white- 
washed, the harness and collars washed with strong soap and 
water, and then brushed over with a solution of corrosive 
sublimate (one drachm to a pint of Avater), and the blankets 
worn on the animal boiled. 

Instead of the iodine ointment we may paint the part with 
the following, which is highly recommended by Mr. Dun : 

No. 279. Carbolic acid, 1 part, 

Acetic acid, 20 parts. 

Mix for local use. 

Or with tincture of the chloride of iron ; or. 

No. 280. Corrosive sublimate, 2 grs. 

Water, 1 oz. 



254 Diseases of the Horse. 

ITETTLE EASH— SURFEIT— URTICARIA. 

This is a frequent form of skin disease in the horse, and 
consists of an eruption of small elastic lumps, roundish or 
oblong in shape, and attended with itching. 

The lumps rise quickly and upon the greater part of the 
body, generally beginning upon the neck, and frequently 
disappearing as suddenly as they come. They are unequal in 
size, some no larger than grains of wheat, others as large as 
beans, and flattened upon the surface. 

The most singular feature of this eruption is the sudden- 
ness of its appearance. Sometimes it will break out over all 
parts of the body in a few minutes ; and it will disappear 
with equal jn-omptness. 

The cause of the disease is some disturbance of the diges- 
tion ; it often appears in horses when they are first turned 
out to grass in the spring ; and sometimes a draught of cold 
water when they are heated will bring it out on those pre- 
disposed to it. It entails no serious consequences. 

Treatment, — As a rule all that is necessary is to give a 
mild purge, and to relieve the itching bathe the eruption 
with a wash of sugar of lead (one drachm to the pint of 

watei"). 

MOIST TETTER— HUMID TETTER— ECZEMA. 

This is a non-contagious skin disease, which usually be- 
gins about the neck, shoulder, back and thighs. 

The onset is sudden, and the animal is seen to rub and 
scratch himself to relieve itching. On examination the skin 
is found to be red and inflamed, often scratched and torn by 
the efforts of the animal. Small blisters or vesides will be 
noticed on portions of the skin not lacerated by these efforts, 
which eruptions break and discharge a watery fluid, keeping 
the surface moist. 



Tetter. 255 

As a rule, It is a summer disease, and some horses have a 
return of it season after season; and it is often difficult to 
assign any other cause for it than that it is constitutional. 

Nearly always this kind of tetter is confounded with the 
mange, which it very closely resembles in appearance ; but 
it differs from it in two important particulars, first, that it is 
not contagious, and secondly, that it is not caused by an in- 
sect. 

Treatment. — This should be begun with a change of diet 
and a purge of aloes. If after the purge, the bowels are 
found to be irregular, and feces ill smelling, it is well to give 
the following : — 

Z^o. 281. Bisulphite of soda, 1 oz. 

Powdered gentian, I oz. 

Make a ball, to give night and morning. 

The most eifectual internal remedy is arsenic. This can 
be advantageously given, as Fowler's solution of arsenic, one 
ounce once or twice, a day. 

For the treatment of the eruption itself, it is necessary first 
to remove the scabs and crusts, by first soaking the j^arts 
with sweet oil for a few hours, then washing with soap and 
water. If the hair is long, it must be clipped, and all dust 
and dirt removed. Tlien the whole of the diseased siu-fiice, 
and a large space of the healthy skin around, should be cov- 
ered with the following : — 

No. 282. Flour of sulphur, Jib. 

Carbonate of potash, \ lb. 

Carbolic acid, 1 oz. 

Lard, 

Olive oil, each 2 lbs. 
Mix thoroughly with the aid of gentle heat. 

This is to be left on the skin two or three days, and then 
washed off with strong soap and water. 



25G Diseases of the Horse. 

Another very useful, clieaj) and handy remedy is tar oint- 
ment, made as follows: — 

No. 233. Tar, 

Lard, equal parts. 

Mix well together. 

This should be ased in the same manner as above. 
For this and other itching skin disorders, the following is 
an excellent combination : — 

No. 2S4. Soft soap, 

Tar, 

Alcohol (or whiskey), equal parts. 

Used for painting on the parts twice a day. 

MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS— PSORIASIS OF THE CARPITS AND 
THE TA£SnS. 

This is a common and troublesome disease of the skin above 
the feet in horses. At first it generally begins very much as a 
moist tetter (eczema), but as the eruption becomes persistent, 
the discharge of watery fluid dries up, and the parts become 
covered with hard crusts and scabs. 

Horses which are otherwise healthy are most liable to the 
disease, and it does not extend beyond the bends of the 
limbs. But the eruptions are unsightly, they sometimes 
crack and inflame, and therefore they lower the value of the 
animal. Unfortunately, it is by no means an easy matter to 
cure them. 

Treatment. — If there is indigestion or constipation, the 
food of the animal should be carefully regulated, and he 
should have a moderate purge. Next, he should have with 
his drink an ounce of Fowler's solution of arsenic, once or 
twice a day. 

The sore spots shoald be washed thoroughly with soap 
and warm water, touched lightly with a stick of nitrate of 
silver to freshen them up,, and covered with j)ure wood tar. 
This procedure should be repeated twice a week, and may be 
said to be a " sure cure." 



Mallenders and SaUenders. 257 

Many ointments are recommended, of which wc may men- 
tion that of Mr. Youatt : — ■ 

No. 2S5. Acetate of lead, 1 oz. 

Tar, 2 oz. 

Lard, G oz. 

Mix, and apply to the part. Give a diuretic dose occasionally, to act 
on the system. 

Another application is : — 

No. 286. Powdered red precipitate, 2 drachms. 

Lard, 2 ozs. 

Mix for an ointment. 
Or, 

No. 287. Powdered camphor, 1 drachm. 

Acetate of lead, \ drachm. 

Mercurial ointment, 1 oz. 

For an ointment, to be applied after washing with soap and water. 

WAEBLES— GRUBS— SITFASTS. 

These names are all applied to different forms of the ?kiu 
disease, known to physicians as acne. It is characterized by 
the presence of small hard lumps beneath the skin, origin- 
ating in swelling of the glands at the root of the hair. Tliey 
are especially frequent on the withers, back and neck, and at 
the root of the mane and tail. They are more often found 
in the spring of the year, and on parts of the skin which are 
chafed by the harness. 

The tops of these inflamed follicles suppurate or become 
rubbed off, leading to small ulcers, slow to heal, and of an 
angry appearance. Where constantly irritated by the har- 
ness or saddle they may mortify,and the skin assume a hard, 
horny or leathery appearance in the center, with an inflamed 
ring around the whitish central patch. This is familiarly 
known as a "sitfast" on account of the difficulty experienced 
in its removal. 

17 



258 Diseases of the Horse. 

Treatment. — In the simple varieties, where the pimples 
are ulcerating, the repeated application of poultices is very 
useful. Internally, the animal should have an ounce of 
sulphur mixed with his feed every morning. Sometimes this 
plan fails, and then it is well to rub the sores with a "stimu- 
lating ointment, one of the best of which is that ol" the 
iodide of mercury (No, 239). 

For the treatment of ^itfast the only satisfactory method 
is carefully to dissect out the hard, dead piece of skin in the 
center of the idcer, and dress the whole with a mild carbolic 
acid ointment, as, 

No. 288. Carbolic acid, 1 drachm. 

Lard, 3 ozs. 

Mix and apply on rags. 

Or, cover the wound Avith crude petroleum. Blisters and 
caustic, recommended 1)y some, are of no use. 

Sometimes they can be softened by the following oint- 
ment : 



No. 289. Gnni ammoniac, 


4 ozs. 


Mercurial ointment, 


8 ozs. 


Oil of turpentine. 


10 ozs 


Mix witli gentle lieat and apply on rags. 




MANGE— ITCH. 





Of all skin diseases on the lower animals, this is by far the 
most frequent, and by far the most to be dreaded, on account 
of its contagiousness. Any animal that has it should be shut 
off from others and active measures taken to clean thoroughly 
every blanket, every piece of harness, brush, curry-comb or 
other utensil that has touched him. 

The mange or itch is characterized in all its forms by itc]:- 
ing, scurfiness, thinness and loss of the hair on the aifected 
part, and a surface torn and lacerated by scratching and rui> 
bing, moist from a flow of thin, watery matter, or covered 
with scabs and crusts, caused by the drying of this exuda- 



Mange or Itch. 259 

tion, and the presence of dust, dirt and skin scales becoming 
entangled and matted in the hairs. The parts of the animal 
most frequently attacked are the legs, and the sides and upper 
border of the neck, and the root of the tail. 

The cause of the mange is the presence of insects, which 
live in or upon the skin, and find their food in the watery 
discharge which their bites cause to flow forth. These in- 
sects are of several species on each animal, some living on, 
some in the skin. They are hardly visible to the naked eye, 
and are often very difficult to point out when present. They 
have been named and described by naturalists, but it is not 
necessary for practical purposes that we should enter into an 
explanation of their forms and habits. The symptoms they 
cause, and the treatment they require, are similar or the 
same. 

Treatment. — In all cases the utmost precautions should 
be taken, as above stated, to prevent the disease spreading. 
As an application to the mangy spots, many prefer the old- 
fashioned sulphur ointment : — 

No. 290. Flour of sulphur, i lb. 

Lard, 1 lb. 

Mix thoroughly, and a^ply once or twice daily, rubbing it in well. 

As a sulphur wash of a very effectual nature, the follow- 
ing will be found valuable : — 

No. 291. Flour of sulphur, 2 lbs. 

Quick lime, 1 lb. 

Water, 2 gallons. 

Boil together, stirring until the ingredients are combined. Bathe the 
parts with it several times a day. 

For horse mange some prefer ointment of stavesacre made 
as follows : — 

No. 292. Powdered stavesacre, 2 oz. 

Lard, ' 8 oz. 

Olive oil, 1 oz. 

Mix at a gentle heat. 



260 Diseases of the Horse. 

Whatever remedy is applied, the parts should first be oiled 
and washed with W'arni soap and water, to remove the crusts, 
dirt and scabs, before the ointment is applied, or otherw^ise 
it will not reach the insects, especially the varieties which 
burrow into the skin. 

As a serviceable mange dressing, Mr. Finlay Dun speaks 
well of — 

No. 293. Iodine, J oz. 

Iodide of potash, I oz. 

Tar, 1 oz. 

Lard, 8 oz. 

Mix for an ointment. 

No. 294. White helleljore, 

Tobacco, each 2 oz. 

Water, 3 pints. 

Boil, strain, and when cold add a pint of fresh lime water. 

No. 295. Flour of sulphur, 

Oil of turpentine, each -1 oz. 

Tar, 8 oz. 

Wash the parts with soft soap, dry them, and apply the above. 

LICE. 

Poor, half-starved and old animals are very liable to be- 
come lousy. This is best treated by clipping them, giving 
them good food and tonics, and washing the skin with a de- 
coction of stavesacre : — 

No. 296. Powdered stavesacre seed, 2 oz. 

Water, 1 quart. 

Boil for twenty minutes. 

Care should be taken that the animal does not lick this 
from the skin. 

Horses which are stabled in hen-roosts are liable to be at- 
tacked with chicken lice, which produce an intense itching, 
sometimes setting the poor beast nearly frantic. The treat- 
ment is to remove the chickens, whitewash the stable, and 



Receijjfs to Destroy Lice. 261 

wash the horse witli a decoction of tobacco or of stavesacre 
(No. 296), or rub with this mixture : — 

No. 297. Scotch snuff, 2 oz. 

Lard, 6 oz. 

j\Iix well together. 

Hot M'ater poured on crude petroleum, well stirred and 
allowed to settle; or poured on quick lime, 4 oz. to the gal- 
lon, will destroy these parasites. The following is also an 
excellent, but poisonous preparation : — 

No. 298. Bruised cocculus indicus berries, 2 oz. 

Boiling water. 1 gallon. 

With this the skin and hair may be thoroughly mopped. 

No. 299. Calomel, 1 drachm. 

Petroleum ointment, 1 oz. 

This both allays the irritation of the skin and destroys the 
vermin. 

No. 300. Corrosive sublimate^ 3 to 6 grains. 

Petroleum ointment, 1 oz. 

A very efficient, but poisonous remedy. 

No. 301. Oil of turpentine, 1 part. 

Olive oil, 3 parts. 

Mix for an ointment. 



PART HI. 



Diseases of Cattle, Sheep and Swine. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

General Remarks on the Diseases of Cattle, and their Treat- 
ment. 
Peculiarities of the Action of Medicines on Cattle. 

There are a number of diseases which in general outline 
and management are nearly or quite the same in the two 
large quadrupeds, the horse and the ox. As previously 
noted, (page 83), a number of these will be found discussed 
under the Diseases of the Horse. There remains, however, 
a large class of maladies which are either peculiar to cattle, 
or present peculiar traits in them, which demand separate 
discussion ; and to these this Part will be devoted, as also to 
the consideration of the less known, though really not less 
interesting, sicknesses of sheep and swine. We begin with 
some 

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE DISEASES OF CATTLE, AND 
THEIR TREATMENT. 

The purposes for which cattle have been domesticated, and 
their cliaracteristics as ruminating animals, lead to several 

(263) 



264 Diseases of Cattle. 

peculiarities in tlie diseases to which they are subject, and 
the eflPeet of medicines upon them. 

Unlike the horse, they are never prized for their speed, so 
that lamenesses and disorders of the " wind " are nmch less 
frequent and less important ; unlike him again, their food is 
not regulated to insure the utmost muscular pow^er with the 
least accumulation of fat, but just the reverse. Cattle are 
naturally plethoric, slow of motion, and averse to much ex- 
ercise ; and as they are generally under a stimulating and 
forcing system of diet, they become peculiarly subject to all 
those diseases which are brought on by excessive richness of 
the blood. 

Their tolerance of disease is also much less than that of 
the horse. They do not bear j^ain with nearly so much for- 
titude as that nobler animal ; and when continued for some 
time, it jjrcys upon them speedily and injuriously, as may 
constantly be seen in painful foot affections. Moreover, their 
courage to bear suffering is but little, and they readily yield 
to despair and become indifferent to life. Often they refuse 
to rise when perfectly able to do so, and require energetic 
measures to force them on their feet. For this reason also 
they demand tonic medicines more freely and earlier after 
acute disease than is necessary in the horse. 

Another result of this lesser vitality is their proneness to 
local disease-producing influences. It is well known that 
they do not thrive well and are more subject to diseases when 
pastured in low-lying, swampy fields, and on rank grass. 
Epidemics are both numerous and destructive among them. 
Indeed, contagious and infectious maladies of various kinds 
are by far the most dreaded of all forms of disease with 
tliem, and have repeatedly desolated the herds of whole con- 
tinents. Even the accident of abortion in pregnancy puts 
on an epidemic form in cows, and is a source of frequent 
anxiety to possessors of dairies. 



Peculiar Diseases. 265 

The richness of the blood and general plethora predispose 
them to glandular swellings, ulcers, and especially mortifica- 
tion and gangrene. It is an acknowledged fact that although 
the flesh of the bullock is one of the most esteemed foods of 
the human species, there is no animal in which gangrenous 
ulcers and malig-nant forms of carbuncular disease are so 
numerous or so destructively poisonous. 

The gullet of the ox is several times larger than that of the 
horse; but owing to the greater development of the bones of 
the nose (the ethmoid and turbinated b(^nes), the pharynx, or 
upper part of the throat is smaller, and the windpipe is con- 
siderably less. From these anatomical differences it arises 
that inflammations of the upper throat are much more liable 
to produce suffocation than they are in the horse, and de- 
mand, therefore, early and active attention, or the perform- 
ance of tracheotomy more promptly. (See page 112.) 

For what reason has not been definitely ascertained, true 
inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) is not nearly so fre- 
quent in cattle as in the horse. What is usually so called in 
them is an inflammation of the small air tubes of the lung, 
and is known to medical men as "capillary bronchitis." 
Pleurisy, on the other hand, occurs much oftener than in the 
horse, and the compound disease called pleuro-pneumonia, 
where there is along with pleurisy scattered masses of in- 
flamed tissue in the lung, is at times a malignant epidemic. 

The most terrible of lung diseases in the human race, con- 
sumption or pulmonary phthisis, is hardly known in horses, 
but is very common in some breeds of cattle, and in milk 
cows after neglected colds, pneumonia or pleurisy. It is 
closely associated with scrofula, which is a hereditary taint 
of the blood, far more connnon in the best breeds of cattle 
than it is in the hog, from which animal the name is derived 
(Latin, scrofa, a sow). 



20 G Diseases of Cattle. 

PECULIARITIES OF. THE ACTIOX OF MEDICINE ON 
CATTLE. 

There are several peculiarities in the action of medicines 
on cattle which the veterinarian takes into account. Tiiey 
arc chiefly referable to tlie construction of tlieir stomach in 
four divisions, only the last one of which corresponds in its 
action to the single stomach of the horse and of man. The 
first and third compartment always contain food and in large 
quantity, and until the medicines have passed through these 
and have reached the fourth stomach, they have little or no 
effect whatever. It is a common but erroneous notion, as has 
been shown by Mr. Finlay Dun, that medicines when poured 
very slowly down a cow's throat, pass, like the ruminated 
food, direct to the fourth stomach. On the contrary, they pass 
throuw-h the first, second and third stomachs first. 

Accordingly it happens, and not unfrequently, and partic- 
ularly in some diseases of an inflammatory nature, that the 
medicines remain in the first or third stomach for a long 
while after they are administered. Dose after dose is given, 
and their lack of action is attributed to the obstinacy of tlie 
constipation or the inertness of the medicine. At length the 
rumen is excited to action, and the collected doses are ex- 
pelled into the fourth stomach and intestines, exciting violent 
and perhaps fatal action. 

To avoid this, two precautions are to be observed : — 

1. Never give medicine to cattle in a solid form, as balls 
or pills, but in a liquid state, as in drenches, and with plenty 
of water, a quart or two at a time. 

2. Always combine with cattle medicine which is de- 
sired to act promptly, some stimulating and aromatic sub- 
stance which will incite the partly insensible coat of the 
rumen to action. For this purpose, ginger, carraway seed in 
powder, and flour of mustard, are generally preferred. 



Medicines for Cattle. 267 

The dose of medicines for cattle is nearly double the 
amounts used for horses, the formation of the stomach and 
the phlegmatic temperament of the ox rendering him not 
readily aifected by medicinal substances. Their kidneys and 
skin are less easily acted on than the corresponding organs in 
horses; and they resist the action both of stimulants and 
tonics. 

Long exjjerience has given the preference to certain drugs 
for cattle, different from those administered to horses. Thus 
aloes, which is the favorite purgative for the horse, acts ir- 
regularly and feebly in the ox and cow. For them saline 
cathartics are altogether preferable, either sulphate of mag- 
nesia (epsom salt), sulphate of soda (glauber salt), or com- 
mon salt; or, as many prefer, a mixture of the three in equal 
parts. A pound of such a mixture in a quart or two of 
water, with a teaspoonful or ^wo of essence of ginger, or a 
dash of cayenne pepper, constitutes a most efficient and de- 
pendable purge. Linseed and castor oils, either of which 
may be strengthened by the addition of croton oil, are also 
excellent purges. To exert a continued laxative effect, sul- 
phur is a very useful means. 

Mercury in any form must be given to cattle with greater 
caution than to horses, as, whether it be as calomel internally 
or as mercurial ointment rubbed on the skin, it salivates and 
mercurializes them easily. Especially we would advise not 
using mercury in any shape with milk cows. If pregnant, 
they are more apt to abort; and the mercury passing into the 
tissues is secreted with the milk, and is thus conveyed to the 
human race. A French author states that he has witnessed 
lambs die from mercurial poisoning, when the ewes had been 
rubbed with mercurial ointment to destroy insects. 



268 Diseases of Cattle. 

CHAPTER I. 

THE COXTAGIOUS OR EPIDEMIC DISEASES OF CATTLE. 

The Cattle Plague — Rinderpest — Contagious Enteric Fever of 
Cattle. 

Pleura-Pneumonia — Contagious Lung Fever. 

Foot and Mouth Disease — Epizootic Aphthae — Contagious 
Eczema. 

Charbon — Black Quarter— -Quarter III — Contagious An- 
thrax — Bloody Murrain . 

Splenic Fever — Texas Cattle Disease — Sjjanish Fever. 

Cow-pox — Smallpox of Cattle — Variola Vaccina. 

THE CATTLE PLAGUE— RINDERPEST— CONTAGIOUS ENTERIC 
FEVER OF CATTLE. 

Definition. — A malig-nant contao-ious fever oricclnatino: on 
the plains of Asiatic Rnssia, and conveyed bv the exporta- 
tion of cattle to other countries. It is essentially a disease of 
the bovine family, but has been known to attack sheep, goats 
and deer. 

Causes. — This formidable disease is believed to be owing 
to a specific poison which is giyen oif by the animal suffering 
from it, or which may be conveyed by a healthy animal 
from a locality where the disease is prevailing. This last fact 
has been abundantly proven, and is of prime importance. 

Symptoms. — The time which elapses between exposure to 
the poison and the outbreak of the disease is from three days 
to a week ; and the course of the disease to its usually fatal 
termination is about a week. But within two days of ex- 
posure the fever often begins, although its presence may not 
be noticed, unless the thermometer is used. 

The average temperature of a healthy ox is 101° Fahreu- 



I 



TJie Cattle Plague. 269 

heit. It has been found that when an animal has been ex- 
posed to the poison of the cattle plague, and is about to take 
the disease, the thermometer rises to 103° or 104°, while no 
other symptom of disease is present. 

About two days after this rise of the temperature the 
breath becomes ill-smelling, and the mouth, as well as the 
vagina in cows, will be found unnaturally red and hot to the 
touch, and with a slight eruption of minute blisters on its 
surface, about the size of a pin's head. These are both very 
characteristic symptoms. 

Even at this stage of the disease a clay or two may still 
pass by without the animal showing any very positive signs 
of being sick. But after the fourth day from the beginning 
of these warnings is past, the constitution is thoroughly satu- 
rated wdth the poison. Then the head begins to droop, the 
ears hang, the pulse weakens, the breathing is difficult, and 
there is a foul discharge from the eyes, nose and mouth. 

The next day, usually the sixth, all these symptoms grow 
worse, the pulse becomes hardly perceptible, the breath is 
draw^n with effort, and there is great weakness in the limbs. 
If noAV the temperature is taken with the thermometer, it 
will be found below the natural heat, probably at 96° or 
98° Fah. 

Death usually occurs on the seventh day from the time tlie 
temperature first begins to rise. 

Of course, in different epidemics, and in different herds, 
there is considerable variation from the above description ; 
but they are those of degree only, and it will serve as a cor- 
rect type of them all. 

Treatment. — There is but one treatment for this terrible 
disease, and that is the preventive one. When it appears in 
a country, all importations of cattle, sheep, or goats from that 
country should be positively forbidden by government; when 
it attacks even a single steer of a herd, not only that steer, 



270 Diseases of Cattle. 

but every member of the herd .sliould be slaughtered before 
the sun goes down, and tlie most energetic disinfecting 
measures be taken with every thing about the premises. 

No form of disease in the lower animals is more fatal and 
more contagious than this ; and any hesitation in " stamping 
it out " at the very first will entail the loss of millions and 
millions of dollars' worth of stock. 

Fortunately, it has never had more than a slight foothold 
in this country ; but we are exposed to it almost every year, 
and should be prepared to deal with it summarily and effec- 
tually when it is introduced. 

Of the medicines Mdiich have been tried in its treatment — 
and about all known to veterinary pharmacy have been ex- 
perimented with — the most favorable reports have been from 
bisulphite of soda, chlorate of potash, sulphate of iron and 
carbolic acid, given by full and frequent doses by the mouth 
and by iiyection into the veins. 

PLEUEO-PNEUMONIA— CONTAGIOUS LUNG FEVER. 

Definition. — A contagious fever of cattle, accompanied by 
great prostration, together with local inflammation and other 
diseased changes in the lungs and their envelopes. 

Cause. — This no doubt is a specific blood poison. It is 
often slow in its development, several weeks or even months 
elapsing between the exposure to the poison and the onset of 
the disease. In its more malignant phases, and particularly 
at the beginning of an epidemic, it runs a rapid course, de- 
stroying life in the course of a few days ; but generally oc- 
cuj^ies from four to six weeks, 

SymptomSi — The earliest symptoms are apt to pass un- 
noticed. The first that can be observed is a rise of tempera- 
ture to 103°-10G°, indicated by the thermometer in the 
rectum. The moment this is observed when pleuro-pneu- 



Pleuro- Pneumonia. 271 

monia is about, the animal should be separated from the 
herd, disinfectants used, and a watch kept for the ,next de- 
velopments of the disease. 

Tiiese are slight shivering and staring coat ; some loss of 
appetite ; scanty milk ; an occasional dry and hard cough ; 
irregular chewing of the cud ; bowels rather constipated ; 
urine less than usual, and high or dark in color. 

These insidious symptoms may continue several days 
without the appearance of others of a more marked charac- 
ter. Sometimes there is tenderness on pressure between the 
ribs over the lungs, as evinced by a slight wince or groan. 
The cough now increases, the breathing is more frequent, 
and when the animal stands the elbows are turned out, the 
nose is extended, the back arched, and the hind legs drawn 
up under the body. Later on, there is a watery or mattery 
discharge from the eyes and nose, there is rapid loss of flesh, 
the animal is hide bound, and there is either obstinate con- 
stipation or a violent watery diarrhea of fetid matter, which 
rapidly weakens and destroys life. 

The symptoms on percussing over the lungs are in the 
earlier stages a clear or resonant sound, which, as the disease 
advances, gives way to a dull, heavy one. On listening in 
the first stage, a dry, creaking sound is heard, caused by the 
inflamed surface of the lung and its covering (the pleura) 
rubbing against each other. Later, there are irregular whist- 
ling or rough breathing sounds, easily distinguished from the 
sounds caused by the lungs in health. 

The rule is generally positive that where both lungs are 
affected the animal dies. 

Treatment. — It cannot be said that the medical treatment 
of pleuro-pneumonia is very satisfactory. Many remedies 
have been recommended from time to time, but the use of 
them in practice has not met the expectations created. 

Perhaps the most prudent course is to put the animal in 



272 Diseases of Cattle. 

the best sanitary surroundings possible, and avoid most 
scrupulously either bleeding, or blistering, or putting in 
setons. Give no lowering medicine, neither aconite nor 
tartar emetic. If constipation is decided, a small dose of 
salts will remove it. 

When there is much swelling or " l^loating " of the stom- 
ach, it may be removed by carbonate of ammonia, one ounce, 
in gruel, repeated, if necessary. 

The diet should be low, and some writers recommend no 
solid food at all, but feeding on thin gruel, linseed tea, or 
slippery elm bark water. 

Slight diarrhea is believed often to be of advantage, and 

should not be checked ; but Aviicn it is violent it may be held 

up with some astringent, as 

No. 303. Gallic acid, I oz. 

Gruel, h pint. 

Or, 

No. 303. Alum in powder, J oz. 

Milk, 1 quart. 

AYhcn the worst of the attack is over it is well to hasten 
the return to health by mixing a teaspoonful of sulphate of 
iron with the food several times a day. 

Mr. Finlay Dun has found ounce doses of tlie acid sul- 
phite of soda, given twice daily, to lower the temperature 
and ease the breathing. In the second stage of the disease 
he has also derived decided benefit by giving, every three or 
four hours, one or two ounces of whiskey or of oil of tur- 
pentine. 

For a tonic mixture ]\Ir. Jekyll recommends : — 

No. 304. Sulphate of copper, 1 part. 

"VVatcr, 4 parts. 

Dissolve and add solution of ammonia until it begins to precipitate. 

The dose is half an ounce every six or eight hours, as soon as the 

feverish symptoms have abated. 

Prof. John Gamgee, who made an elaborate report on this 
disease to the United States Government, published by the 



Plcuni-Pncumonia. 273 

Department of Agriculture in 1871, joins in absolute con- 
demnation of purgatives and bleeding. If the case is seen 
and attended to early in the disease, he believes its progress 
may be checked by active internal astringents. He places 
the Avhole herd in which the malady has appeared on regu- 
lar daily doses of sulphate of iron, allowing about half a 
drachm to a drachm to a bullock, mixed Avith an equal 
amount of bruised coriander seeds, given in some bran, 
the better to disguise the iron. Prof. Gamgee has uniformly 
found its use followed by a mitigation of the cough and a 
disappearance of the disease in the herd. 

When the case has progressed to the second stage of the 
malady, he believes that light but nutritious food, copious 
warm water injections, and the use of a stimulant, such as 
half an ounce of carbonate of ammonia in a quart of lin- 
seed tea, two or three times a day, the most hopefur plan. 

But when the lung is already filled and solidified by the 
progress of the inflammation, the advice of this author is to 
leave the case to nature. If both lungs are involved, there 
is substantially no hope ; but if only one is implicated, re- 
covery occasionally takes i)lace. 

Blisters, setons, rowels and cauterization, are all out of 
place in the acute stage, though they may be applied after 
the fever has abated in some instances. For the cout^-li and 
debility following the disease, a tonic used by Prof. Gam- 
gee is : 

]Xo. oOo. Oxide of manganese, ;, 

Iron filings, cacli ^ oz. 

Tincture of gentian, 1} oz. 

AVater, 1 pint. 

To be given daily in gruel. 

Or the sulphate of iron, as mentioned above. 

The carholiG acid treatment has been unquestionably or 
considerable success in various instances. It may be carried 
out as follows : — 

18 



J 



274 Diseases of CaWe. 

Ko. 306. Carbolic acid (pure), 1 drachm 

Water, 1 pint. 

For one dose tliree time a day. 

The other prcparation.s of the acid, as tlie carljolate of 
soda, etc., may also be used, but the above is more direct and 
simpler. 

rOOT-AlfD-MOUTH DISEASE— EPIZOOTIC APHTH.^— CONTAGIOUS 
ECZEMA. 

Definitiou, — A highly contagious, but rarely fatal, febrile 
disease, occurring in cattle and sheep, and capable of traus- 
raission to pigs and man; it is characterised by an eruption 
of small blisters in the mouth, between the clefts of the 
hoof, and along its upper margin at the coronet. 

Clauses. — The cause is a specific poison snpposed by some 
to be of an aniiual, by otliers of a vegetable nature. It re- 
mains in the system from one to four days before it produces 
the characteristic symptoms. 

The foot-and-mouth disease was first introduced into the 
United States in 1869, and has prevailed more or less ever 
since. 

S3^ptoniS. — These are, at first, an increase of temperature 
in the body, shortly followed by an eruption of small 
blisters, about the size of a ten-cent piece, on the tongue, in- 
side the lips, on tlie roof of the mouth and sometimes on the 
udder. Smaller blisters also make their appearance in the 
fissure of the feet, and around the coronets and heels. 

There are some lameness, a flow of water from the mouth 
and eyes, constant movements of the lips, and difficulty in 
swallowing. 

The blisters soon break and leave behind raw surfaces, 
which either proceed to healing, or, in severe cases, form 
ulcers and become gangrenous. 



Foot-and- Mouth Disease. 275 

Treatment. — Mild cases require but little treatment, as 
they tend to recovery after a week or two, and medicine does 
little to hasten it. While the mouth is sore, the animal 
should have plenty of water, with an ounce of saltpetre, or 
of chlorate of potash, or of powdered borax, dissolved in 
each bucketful. The food should be slops. 

The feet should be kept clean, and washed frequently 

with a mixture like the following: 

Xo. 307. Acetate of lead, \ oz. 

Carbolic acid, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 quart. 

Mix. Dip pieces of lint or tow in this, and bind them to tlie foot and 
between the toes with a bandage. 

Where there is extreme weakness, whiskey should be 
given. 

The bowels usually become loose as the disease advances, 
but this condition should not be interfered with, as it is be- 
lieved to be an effort of nature to throw off the poison. 

As a mouth wash the following is excellent : 

Ko. 308. Chlorate of potash, 2 oz. 

Molasses, 8 oz. 

Kiib well together. A spoonful of tliis to be placed within the lips 
several times a day. 

For the external ulcers on the foot, Mr. Gamgee recom- 
mends : 

No. 309. Powdered chalk, 4 ozs. 

" charcoal, 1 oz. 

" alum, 
Sulphate of zinc, of each, .] oz. 

Mix for a powder to be sprinkled on the ulcers. 

The folloM-ing wash is used for Imtli foot and mouth 

ulcers : 

Xo. 310. Sulphate of copper, lib. 

Soft water, 1 gallon. 

"Wash the mouth with this, by means of a sponge fastened to a stick 
and bathe the feet with it, especially between the claws. 



276 X>/.sYY/.sY'.s' of Cafflc. 

CHAEBON— BLACK QXTARTER— ftTJARTER ILL— CONTAOIOTTS 
ANTHKAX— BLOODY MUERAIN. 

Definition. — A contagions and malignant disease of the 
blood, most common in cattle, but communicable to all do- 
luestlc animals, and even to man (when it is known as 
" malignant pustule.") It is called by the French charhon, 
a coal, and by the English " black quarter," " black leg," 
" black tongue," etc., because the part attacked turns of a 
dark purple or nearly black color, from the decomposition of 
the blood. 

Causes. — The French ^vr iters, who have given this dis- 
ease especial study, on account of its pi-evalence in their 
country, teach that it arises from contagion ; from spoiled 
and tainted food ; from pasturing in low swamps and among 
stagnant pools; and from hot and damp seasons. It is most 
commonly seen in summer and autumn, especially when the 
temperature is high and rain frequent. 

Most of the latest writers believe that the contagious prin- 
ciple of charbon or anthrax consists in certain extremely 
minute vegetable organisms which are found in the blood in 
vast quantities. They are in the shape of rods, and have 
been called anthrax bacteria and bacillus aiithracis. Th?y 
are so extremely small that one writer estimates that eight or 
ten millions may exist in a single drop of diseased blood. 
Carefully conducted experiments leave hardly any doubt but 
that these are capable of conveying this disease to healthy 
animals. 

These poison-producing organisms have a wonderful ten- 
acity of life, and hence every part of a diseased animal, the 
blood, flesh, hides, hair, hoof, horns and excrement are poison- 
ous, and will convey the infection. Prof. Gross mentions 
the history of three persons Avho were attacked by the disease 
after picking the feathers from a turkey-buzzard (a bird itself 



Bloodij Murrain. 277 

not liable to anthrax), which had fed on the carcass of an ox 
dead of murrain. Flies can carry the disease on their feet 
and probosces. An ox yoke worn by an infected animal has 
been known to carry the infection to a well one ; and even 
grain and straw, grown on a soil where a diseased animal has 
been buried, are said on good authority to communicate the 
malady. Strong alcohol does not diminish its virulence. 
Prof. Agnew tells of his own knowledge a case where a man 
died of malignant pustule; his face had been occasionally 
wi;^)ed with a handkerchief saturated with alcohol ; six months 
afterwards his widow used a little alcohol from the same 
bottle to bathe her face, and was at once attacked with the 
same terrible disease. 

Symptoms. — The animal becomes languid, the ears drop, 
the eyes are red, the mouth and nose hot and dry, and the 
pulse rapid and feeble, from 80 to 120 beats per minute. 

In the course of a short time swellings appear about the 
loins, back, head, neck, brisket or legs. They cause pain 
and stiffness, which make the animal unwilling to move or 
rise up if he is lying down. The appetite is entirely lost, he 
does not chew the cud, the bowels are constipated, and the 
urine scanty and dark in color. 

When the swellings mentioned are felt, they are found to 
be cool or cold, not very tender or j^ainful, and may give out 
a crackling sound. They are dark or nearly black in color, 
having the appearance of mortification. 

In a few hours or a few days the symptoms of exhaustion 
deepen greatly ; the animal cannot rise from the ground, his 
eye is fixed and staring, the breathing is shallow, and he dies 
often in convulsions. 

When the disease attacks the tongue it is known as "black 
tongue" or "blain ;" and when in the throat, as " malignant 
sore throat" or " i)utrid sore throat." At times the tumors 
form on the intestines, when the prominent sign is the pas- 



278 Diseases of Caftle. 

sage from the bowels of quantities of dark colored blood, 
wlu(;li form is particularly known as ''bloody murrain." Or 
it may attack the spleen, causing a rapid and fatal malady, 
sometimes described as "apoplexy of the spleen." This is 
especially common in milk cows. 

When charbon is prevalent, almost any wound which one 
of the herd receives, no mutter how free he is from the dis- 
ease, is very liable to put on this malignant form of ulcera- 
tion, and lead to fatal results. 

Gloss-anthrax or blain is occasionally, perhaps often, epi- 
demic among herds. On examining the mouth, the tongue 
seems enlarged, and large vesicles or blisters, dark red or 
purple, are seen running along its sides and under surface, 
especially toward the tip. These vesicles are filled with a 
bloody fluid, which flows forth w^hen they break, leaving an 
angry raw spot, which quickly becomes a corroding ulcer. 
Other blisters form near it, and in malignant cases, the blood 
of the animal is quickly poisoned, and death may ensue in 
twenty-four hours. In less rapid cases, the tongue is grad- 
ually eaten away by the ulcerations, the glands behind and 
under the jaw swell and break externally, and other ulcers 
begin to appear about the feet, particularly at the junction 
of the haw and the hoof, threatening the loss of the hoof. 

Constipation is ah\ays present, and an irritative fever of a 
low typhoid form speedily makes its appearance, and carries 
off the animal. 

This fever led to the disease, in some of its forms, 
being described as "inflammatory fever of cattle," by 
Youatt and others ; but a more modern study of its nature 
has shown that the fever is a symptom only of a general 
blood poisoning, 

"Anthrax fever" occurs when the malignant inflannna- 
tion attacks some of the internal organs. The cow or steer 
ceases feeding and ruminating, trembles, has partial sweats, 



C'harhon in Cattle. 279 

arches the back and rests his quarters against a wall or fence. 
The temperature is high, 105° to 107° ; and this is the ear- 
liest symptom of the approach of the disease. The eye is 
sunken, dull and often yellow ; the pulse weak and irregu- 
lar, tlie breathing jerky, and there is tenderness ovxt the 
loins, back or sides. The urine becomes bloody, a bloody 
liquid escapes from the nose, the eyes and the anus, and the 
dung is mixed with blood. Hence the expressive name of 
the disease, " The Bloody Murrain." Tlie temperature falls 
below the natural one (100°), and the animal dies in convul- 
sion or stupor, often within twenty-four or forty-eight hours 
of the first symptoms ; or else, the symptoms rapidly disap- 
pearing, he makes a prompt recovery. 

A remarkable form of the disease i)revailed in Nebraska 
in 1872-3. It was confined to cows and heifers. They 
were attacked, while apparently in j^erfect health, with 
a malignant carbuncle or gangrenous swelling at tlic lower 
commissure of the vagina, the spot looking " as if dead or 
frozen." This idcerated and extended rapidly up the va- 
gina, involving the rectum and surrounding tissues. In 
about twenty-four hours frcjm its first appearance, the com"^ 
was seized with nervous shudders, violent twitching of the 
tail and loss of power in the hind quarters. By the wild 
eye, total loss of appetite and bellowing, it was easy to see the 
suffering was great. In from thirt}-six to forty-eight hours 
from the beginning of the attack it usually }>r()ved fatal. 
Inflammation and ulceration of the lower boAvel and vasjina 
were the principal po*-^ onojiem appearances. It Mas asserted 
that the early application of crude petroleum to and in the 
vagina cured some cases. The facts Avere reported by Sena- 
tor Dodge to the United States Commissioner of Agriculture, 
but the nature of the disease was not recognized at the time. 

Treatment. — In spite of the extensive studies that have 
been gi\eu to this destructive disease, no very successful 



280 Diseases of Cattle. 

method of treatment has been discovered. It mav be pre- 
mised that all bleodino-; pursuing, lowering medicines are hurt- 
ful ; and that all local applications to " backen" the swellings 
are useless. 

Prof. Williams believes the most promising treatment is : 

No. 311. C'liloratc of potasli, \ oz. 

Water, 1 pint. 

Mix and give three times a day. 

This, he says, is superior to all other medicine. 

In blain, and whenever the disease arises from inoculation, 
(as in " malignant pustule " in man), the great majority of 
cases can be cured if seen at an early period, before the poi- 
son of the local pustule or vesicle has been absorbed into the 
system. The treatment nnist, however, be prompt. The 
vesicle or pustule must be freely opened with a lancet or sharj) 
knife, from end to end, and the raw surface thus exposed 
thoroughly mopped wath a chloride of zinc solution (twenty 
grains to the ounce of water), with tincture of the chloride 
of iron, with sulphuric or nitric acid, nitrate of mercury or 
of silver, or some other efficient caustic. The hot iron itself 
is the best in some locations. 

In bloody murrain Youatt and others have spoken highly 
of chloride of lime (bleaching powder) : — 

Xo. 312. Chloride of lime, 2 to 4 drachms. 

Prepared chalk, 1 oz. 

Laudanum, 2 drachms. 

Mix and give in a pint of warm gruel every two or three hours. 

A similar remedy has been praised by Sir J. Tyrrell, to- 

wit : — 

No. 313. Sulphite of soda, 1 oz. 

Water, 3 gallons. 

Of this the sick animal is to be given to drink as much as it wants. 

Mr. Dim combines the soda witli chlorate of potash, as : — 

No. 314. Sulphite of soda, 

Chlorate of potash, of each 1 oz. 
Cfive in a quart or two of water two or three times a day. 



Charbon in Cattle. 281 

Of undoubted and })ositive efficacy both in the prevention 
and treatment of this disease is a scton in the dewlap, and it 
should ahvays be inserted at the first intimation of the 
malady, smeared with irritating ointment and turned e^'ery 
day. It should be a broad, coarse tape, a foot long and an inch 
wide, and it should remain in six or eight weeks. 

All animals who die of any form of this disease should be 
buried at once, as their flesh is ])oisonous to man and beast, 
and the odor from their decaying bodies is believed to dis- 
seminate the disease. 

Recent French authors recommend as specifics large doses 
of quinine, one to t^\"o drachms repeated e^'ery•two or three 
hours in severe cases ; and the hypodermic injection of a solu- 
tion of iodine in the following solution : 

No. 315. Iodine, 2 grains. 

Iodide of potassium, o grains. 

Water, 1 oz. 
Use a syringeful every hour in severe cases. 

In extreme cases this may be thrown into the veins. It is 
of absolute imp(jrtance that with this treatment the strength 
be kept up witli frequent doses of stimulants, among which 
these writers recommend most strongly the carbonate of 
ammonia. 

The germs of the disease, when it is epidemic among ani- 
mals, may be destroyed by fumigation with sulphur (as re- 
connnended, page 28), and by sprinkling the forage or 
])astures with solutions of sulphuric acid, one drachms to two 
gallons of water. 

TEXAS CATTLE DISEASE— SPANISH FEVEE— SPLENIC FEVER. 

Definition. — A contagious fever originating in the low 
swampy lands of Southern Texas, and extended by the ex- 
])ortation of cattle to other sections. In its effects on the sys- 
tem it verv closely resembles the Rinderpest of Asiatic Rus- 



282 Diseases of Cattle. 

sia, but it is loss destructive and less eontagious. Animals 
are found after death to have the s])leen enlarged and soft- 
ened, the fat is yelloAV, the blood fluid, and the kidneys 
broken down. 

Causes. — The Texan cattle theniselves do not appear to 
suffer from this disease in a violent form; but it proves very 
fatal when introduced into Northern herds. Its contagion is 
comnuuiicated through the dung, and the roads, }>astures and 
streams convey it into other neighborhoods. It is destroyed 
at once by frost, and, apparently, one Northern animal cannot 
give it to another. 

Symptoms. — Four or five weeks may pass after the poison 
has been taken into the system before it shows itself. There 
will be at first a moderate fever, showing an increase of tem- 
perature to 103° to 107°. 

This is followed in five or six days by dullness, drooping 
of the head, arched back, cough, trembling, jerking of the 
muscles, the horn hot, and the appetite and cud lost. 

The eyes bec!ome glassy and watery, the urine turns to a 
deej) red or black from the blood which is in it, and the 
dung is hard and often coated with blood. When the mouth 
and rectum are examined, they are found tol)e of a dark red 
or coppery color. The animal dies in a stupor or in convul- 
sions. 

In 1871 the United States Government published an elabo- 
rate study of this disease, prepared by Prof. John (Jamgee 
and other eminent observers. They found it to occur in two 
forms. The first is insidious, latent and usually fatal, and 
the more frequent form among Southern cattle; while the 
mor6 active form is found in Xorthern herds. 

After death there is only one diseased condition of the or- 
gans which is invariably present. The fourth stomach, liow- 
ever, is " almost invariably " distinctly inflamed, and the 



Texas Cattle Disease. 283 

spleen is uniformly enkwrrecl, the weight varying from two to 
ten pounds. It is of a purpHsh color, and on cutting it the 
pulp oozes out, it being soft, like currant jelly. From this 
condition of the spleen, which Avas found in nearly 5,000 
cases, Prof. Gamgee calls the disease " the splenic fever." 

While not stating positively an opinion on its cause, he 
does assert that all the cattle in the States bordering on the 
Gulf of JNIexico, for a distance of two or three hundred 
miles inland, are affected with malaria ; that they have " ague 
cake " and thin blood, and more or less disturbance of the 
stomach; and it is this low tone of the system which he 
conjectures, leads to an imperfect development of the blood, 
and the generation of a "crowd poison," highly injurious to 
other members of the same species not under the influence of 
the same conditions. He does not consider it a true epizo- 
otic or contagious disorder, l)ut one conveyed by the excre- 
tions of the animals (the dung, urine, etc.,) containing poison- 
ous matters. 

Treatment. — The animal should be put in a roomy stall 
where the ventilation is good, and should have soft food. 
Internally he should be given twice or three times a day : — 

No. 310. Chlorate of potash, ^ oz. 

Tinctureof chloride of iron, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 quart. 
Mix, and give at one dose. 

When the weakness becomes considerable he should have 
whisky freely. 

As soon as the most dangerous symptoms are ])assed tlic 
food should be light and plentiful, and tonics be admin- 
istered, as : — 

No. ?.\7. Siilpliate of iron. J oz. 

Tincture of ginger, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 qc. 
This amount twice daily. 



284 Diseases of Caifh: 

A remedy relied on by many, as the bes>t in this disease, is : — 

No. 318. Bicarbonate of soda, 

Carbolic acid, of each, 12 czs. 

Glycerine, 4 ozs. 

Of this the dose is two tablespoonfuls, three times a day, in a i^uart of 
water. 

Prof. Ganig(!e in his report above referred to does not 
speak hopefully of any particular plan of treatment. He 
recommends the animals should be sheltered, the limbs well 
rubbed, and the bowels moved by injections. Relief is af- 
forded by ounce doses of laudanum during the first day or 
tv.o. He adds that he has seen cows return to nearly their 
full quantity of milk on such treatment, aided by the fol- 
lowing stimulant : 

No. 319. Sulphuric ether, J oz. 

Solution of acetate of ammonia, 4 ozs. 

Give in a quart of linseed tea or Avater, three times a -day. 

COW-POX— VAKIOLA VACCINA. 

Definition. — A contagious fever, characterized by an erup- 
tion which is at first a pimple, then a vesicle, next a pustule, 
and last a scab. It is the same disease as small-pox in man. 

CauSG. — The only cause positively known is inoculation 
or contagion. But there seems little doubt but that in cer- 
tain instances cow-pox has appeared " spontaneously " in a 
dairy. At times it seems to spread rapidly through several 
herds, but is generally neither very contagious nor is at all 
dangerous, fatal cases being very rare. 

Symptoms. — There is more or less of fever for a few days 
preceding the attack. The pimples appear on the teats, udder 
and belly ; the milk is diminished, and the appetite slightly 
impaired. Successive crops of vesicles are formed, burst, and 
dry up, appearing thus one after another for several weeks. 

Treatment. — This need not be active. When the disease 
first appears, it is well to separate those affected with it from 
the rest of the herd, to prevent the contagion spreading. 



Coughs and Colds. 285 

CHAPTER II. 

^^OX-CONTAGIOU.S AXD LOCAL, DISEASES OP CATTLE. 

Catarrh — Colds — Cowjhs — Snores — Snivels. 

Cowmmption — ] I ^astlng — Pining. 

IIoHoio Horn — Horn-ail — Ana'"mia of Cattle. 

Iloven — Blown — Impaction of the Hamcn or First Stomach. 

Fardel-bound — Maw-hound — Stomach Staggers — Impaction 

of the Omasam or Third Stomach — Gastritis of Ruminants 

— LaJccburn. 
Obstruction of the Boicds. 

Congestion and Inflammation of the Liver — The Yclloivs. 
Picd Water— Black Water— Bloody Urine. 
Dijsentery — Bloody Flux — Scouring Rot, 
Ililk Sickness — The Trembles. 
Rheumatism — Felon. 
Foul in the Foot — Foul-claw. 
Lice, Ticks and other vermin. 

CATAREH— COLDS— SNOEES— SNIVELS. 

These disturbances of the breathing tnl)es are in causes, 
symi)tonis and treatment essentially the same in cattle as in 
horses. (See pages 102, 105). 

Cattle are, however, peculiarly subject in some localities 
to a stoppage of the nostrils by an abundant, thick secretion, 
and by the swelling of the lining membraue. This forces 
them to breathe with some difficulty; they emit a snorting 
or snoring sound, from which the disease, is locally termed 
the "snores" or the "snivels." 

On examination, there is occasionally found a swelling in- 
side the nostril, which nearly fills the passage, and later bursts 
and forms an abscess. When this breaks the animal is re- 
lieved. 



286 Diseases of Cattle. 

This form of nasal catarrli is asserted to be confined to 
horned cattle. 

The treatment is to inject the nostrils M-ith olive oil, so as 
to prevent the drying of the secretion ; to have the animal 
inhale steam from liot bran mash in a nose bag ; and to 
syringe the nostril with a disinfectant solution when the ab- 
scess breaks. 

A cough in a cow should not be neglected, as these ani- 
mals are peculiarly j^rone to have it run on into consump- 
tion. The throat and breast should be well rubbed with 
mustard stirred up in boiling water, and if there is fever, 
the following modifiication of INIi-. Youatt's "fever powder" 
wall be in place : — 

No. 320. Powdered digitalis, i drachm. 

" ipecac, 1 drachm. 

Nitrate of potash, 

Sulpluir, each, 2 drachms. 

To be given in a pint of gruel, linseed tea or slippery elm bark mu- 
cilage, as occasion requires. 

When there are no feverish symptoms present, but only 
an old hac'king, or hoarse cough, the following is praised by 
Mr. Gamgee, as a useful expectorant in all animals : 

No. 321. Guaiacum, 2 ozs. 

Sassafras root, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 qt. 

Boil to a pint, and add a half ounce of liquorice stick. AVhen dis- 
solved, strain, and give in two doses, night and morning. 

Young cattle and calves are particularly liable to a cough 
from the presence of a species of worm in the throat. 
Whenever they are noticed to have a hoarse husky cough 
this may be suspected. The proper treatment will be con- 
sidered under Hoose. 

The bowels should be kept moderately loose in all chronic 
coughs, the animal sustained on tonics and good and 
abundant food, protected both from inclement weather and 



Consuiiijjflon. 287 

from too liot stabling; and it is good practice to insert a 
ycton, and thus establish counter-irritation from the luu&s. 



CONSUMPTION— WASTINQ— PINING. 

Definition. — A tuberculous disease, allied to phthisis in 
the human race ; in cattle, rarely found attacking solely the 
lungs, but rather the intestines, mesentery and serous mem- 
branes, and other tissues. 

Causes. — Cbnsumption in cattle, as in the human race, is 
verv often hereditary, and often follows severe and neghcted 
colds, insufficient food, exposure to cold and Avet, excessive 
milking, and as a sequel to various acute diseases. 

Symptoms. — These differ in respect to the parts of the 
system which the disease attacks. 

AVhen its seat is the intestines, it produces tubercular 
chronic dysentery. There is a constant scouring, with the 
discharges bloody, very foul smelling, and mixed with jjus. 
This, and the wasting of the flesh and fever, strongly resem- 
ble ordinary chronic dysentery ; and, indeed, it is generally 
considered during life to be this latter disease. 

In general consumption, the early signs are unthriftiness, 
irregular appetite, a dry cough, a dull skin and dirty hair. 
If it is a cow, slie will probably abort, the milk ^\"ill become 
tliiu and watery, and if not pregnant she will probably have 
violent and continued sexual desire. 

With these signs there is steady loss of flesh ; the cough 
increases but there is no discharge from the nose or mouth ; 
the digestive organs are weak, and watery diarrhea may set 
in,Avhich soon reduces the animal to a skeleton and desti'oys 
life. 

By listening k) the lungs, some differences from the natural 
.sound are nearly always heard, but these are neither constant 



288 Diseases of Cattle. 

nor well marked. There may bo tliilliiosiS from water on the 
lungs, and also droj^sy of the belly. 

The disease is very variable in its duration, sometimes 
running its course in a week or two, sometimes extending 
over several months. 

In cases where the serous membranes are most exposed to 
the tul:)erculous change, the joints are not unfrcquently at- 
tacked, 2)roducing marked and incurable lameness. Ignor- 
ant farriers often treat these cases with firing, setons and 
blisters, and thus add still further to the misery of the beast. 

Treatment. — To have any chance of success, the treat- 
ment must be begun in the earliest stage of the disease. 
Cows should not be milked nor oxen worked, fattening food 
should be given, careful attention paid to their housing and 
healthy surroundings, and the digestive organs vrell looked 
after. 

The most appropriate food is milk, oil cake, sound hay 
and ground corn. Internally, cod liver oil should be given 
in doses from a quarter to a half pint daily. A scton should 
be inserted and turned daily, to counteract the jjrocess of dis- 
organization. 

Change of climate does not seem to be of any benefit in 
the consummation of cattle. On the contrary, the disease is 
often produced by such a change, although from a low and 
swampy to a dry and well drained locality. 

As the hereditary character of the disease is universally 
recognized, it is not desirable to raise calves of consumptive 
mothers. They should be slaughtered, and others obtained 
for keej^ing. 



Hollotv Horn. 289 

HOLLOW HORN— HOEN- AIL— ANEMIA OF CATTLE. 

Definition. — A special diseased condition of the blood, in 
M'liich there is either a deficiency in the amount of blood in 
the body, or a diminution of some of its imjiortant constitu- 
ents, especially the red blood corpuscles. * 

Causes, — Such a condition of the blood may follow an at- 
tack of any acute disease where the recovery is slow and par- 
tial ; but generally it is brought about by poor or insufficient 
food, exposure and neglect, foul air, lack of cleanliness and 
other necessary conditions of health. The food may be 
abundant in quantity, but contain an excess of water and 
a deficiency of solid matter. Thus, instances are given in the 
Country Gentleman's Magazine, 1874, where the exclusive 
use of roots, or of green food growing on damp soil, and even 
the persistent use of one food only, resulted in this dej) raved 
condition of the blood. Cattle fed winter and summer on 
timothy hay have been known to suifer from it. Monotony 
uf diet in them, as in human beings, leads to the manufac- 
ture by the digestive organs of an inferior quality of blood. 

Symptoms. — These are those of general debility and "poor 
condition." The animal is scant of flesh, hide bound, and 
with staring coat. The hair is often ragged and lousy. The 
appetite is ravenous or irregular ; the bowels either consti- 
pated or too loose, generally the latter, the dung is foul- 
smelling, and there is much wind passed. The pulse is 
feeble, and the animal easily fatigued. On examining the 
inside of the mouth, the lining membrane looks paler than 
iisual, and on feeling the horn it is colder than natural, some- 
times almost " deathly cold." 

This last mentioned trait is what has given the disease its 
common name, and the ordinary cowleech imagines the dis- 
ease is a local one, originating in the horn. Hence he will 
bore it with a gimlet and squirt some turpentine into the 

19 



290 Diseases of Cattle. 

orifice ; or lie Mill put a plaster at the base of the hum. But 
ia fact, the temperature of the horn is low on account of the 
general poverty of the blood, and these measures are vain. 
Thouo-li we have been familiar with cases of this disease 
from boyhood, we have never seen one where the horn actu- 
ally was hollow; though that this might not happen through 
the processes known as atrophy and absorption of the inner 
vascular structure, we do not deny. Later symptoms of the 
disease are swellings under the jaws and about the navel, and 
dropsy of the belly. 

Treatment. — This is suggested by what lias been said of 
the causes of the disease. The animal must be well fed, 
well housed and well cleaned. The food should be given in 
small quantities and often. If lousy, as is very often the 
case, it must be washed and some of the insecticides recom- 
mended for that purpose must be applied. 

No borino; or bleeding; is needed. It will not be amiss to 
commence with a moderate dose of salts or oil, to clean out 
the bowels. The diarrhea, if persistent, should be checked by 
astringents. After this, a tonic is needed, especially an iron 
one, in small doses, to aid in enriching the blood ; and with 
it may be very advantageously combined a little mix vomica, 
;to stinmlate the nervous system, as : 

Ko. 322. Sulphate of iron, 2 drachms. 

Powdered nux vomica, , 1 drachm. 

Powdered gentian, 1 ounce. 
This amount daily in dry food or as a drench. 

After one week it should be suspended for a week, and 
then resumed for one week more. These measures will cer- 
tainly cure all cases of holloAv horn that do not depend on 
some serious oi'ganic disease. 



Hoven. 291 

HOVEN— BLOWN— IMPACTION OF THE RTIMEN. 

Definition. — A form of indigestion in cattle, frequently- 
accompanying other diseases, consisting of an unnatural dis- 
tension of the rumen or first stomach by food, and by the 
gases it gives off in the process of fermentation, or by gases 
evolved from the walls of the organ. 

Causes. — In health this condition is brought on by over 
feeding with damp grasses, especially green clover. Almost 
any food in excessive quantities may produce it. In various 
diseases there is a secretion of gas from the inner coat of the 
stomach, causing great and painful distension, sometimes 
called " tympanites." 

Symptoms. — There is a swelling on the left side, which 
appears while the animal is feeding or shortly afterwards. 
The breathing is difficult and painful, becoming more so as 
the gas is generated and the swelling increases. This is 
manifested by the general appearance of the animal. There 
are expansion of the nostrils, moaning during expiration, 
belching, dribbling from the mouth and uneasiness. The 
animal loses his cud. The bowels are constipated ; and if 
the swelling is great, there will be a prominence and wild- 
ness of the eye, which is characteristic of obstruction to the 
entrance of air into the lungs. 

Unless relieved, the animal will die from suffocation, from 
laceration of the stomach, or from blood poisoning from the 
gases. 

Treatment. — In very severe cases, when the swelling is 
from gases, the proper course is to plunge a trochar into the 
rumen and allow the gas to escai^e through the canula. Tlie 
operation is to be performed on the most prominent part of 
the swelling, and if the tube becomes choked by the contents 
of the stomach, it must be cleaned out with a wire or stick. 

When the symptoms are not so urgent as to call for this 



292 Diseases of Cattle. 

measure, they can generally be relieved by some of the stimu- 
lants given below. After tlie severe symptoms are relieved, 
a strong purgative is to be ])rescribed, such as : — 

No. 323. Epsom salts, h lb. 

Croton oil, 20 drops. 

Linseed oil, 1 pint. 
Mix. 

In cases where the swelling is from over feeding, and the 
rumen is crammed with solid matters — which is easily recog- 
nized by its doughy feel and solid sound on percussion — it is 
often necessary to empty it before any medicines can take 
effect. The best method of performing this operation is as 
follows : 

Fasten the animal by its nose, with its right side to the 
wall ; then plunge a sharp bistoury into the rumen, begin- 
ning midway between the last rib and the spine of the haunch 
bone, and from four to six inches from the back bone, cutting 
doMmward until the opening is large enough to admit the 
hand. Then run a stitch through from the skin to the inner 
])art of the stomach at the lower portion of tlie cut, so that 
the contents of the stomach may not escape into the cavity of 
the abdomen. Turn out with the hand these contents. 
Clean the edges of the A\ound thoroughly. Sew up first the 
coats of the stomach, turning the edges in ; and next the 
outer wound in the usual manner. Apply a stiff pitch plas- 
ter over the wound, and feed the animal on small quantities 
of slops for a few da}'s. 

Of medicines, Mr. Dun recommends turpentine, in small 
and repeated doses, as half an ounce every fifteen minutes, 
until four ounces are taken. Mr. Gamgee prefers assa- 
foetida : — 

No. 324. Assafcetida, i nz. 

Linseed oil, 1 pt. 

Mix for a drench. 



ImjKtction of fJir Sfoiiiach. 293 



Or 



No. 325. Strong solution of ammonia, jl oz. 

Water, 1 pt. 

For a drench. 

Or:— 

No. 32G. Creasote, 2 drachms. 

Water, 1 pt. 

For a drench. 

Other stimulants used are whiskey and brandy, oil of 
peppermint, essence of ginger, and red pepper tea, either of 
which will at times work satisfactorily, and at others fail 
entirely. 

When the animal is liable to frequent returns of the dis- 
ease, Prof. Law recommends careful dieting, and the follow- 
ing tonic : 

No. 327. Fenugreek, 

Iron rust, 

Carbonate of soda, 

Common salt, of each, 4 ozs. 

Powdered nux vomica, 2 drachms. 

Mix well, and give a heaping tablespoonful, twice daily, in the food. 

FARDEL-BOUND— MAWBOUND— STOMACH STAGGESS— IMPACTION 

or THE THIRD STOMACH— GASTRITIS OF RUMINANTS— 

LAKEBURN. 

Definition. — Distension of the third stomacli, the many- 
plies or omasum, with undigested food, which may be 
followed by congestion and inflammation of its lining mem- 
brane, and also of that of the fourth or true stomach, the 
caid or abomasum. 

The best authorities on veterinary medicine, such as the 
late Professor Dick and Professor Williams, do not make a 
distinction in practice between impaction and inflammation 
of the third stomach. By the older writers impaction was 
called "fardel -bound," and inflammation^ "lake-burn ;" and 
they taught that the third stomach alone was the one usually 
at fault. Closer observation has shown that the symptoms 



294 I)i><eascs of Cattle. 

of these supposed diseases really refer principally to inflam- 
luatiou of the fourth or true stomach. The third compart- 
ment, indeed, participates in the disorder ; as do also often 
the first and second stomachs ; but the main and principal 
seat of the morbid change is in the abomasum ; thus show- 
ing the disease to be a true gastritis, or inflammation of the 
stomach. 

Causes. — The causes of the disease are sudden changes in 
the food, or in its condition. Sometimes the consumption of 
damp or mouldy hay will produce it. More frequently it 
appears when the animals eat ravenously of spring grass, 
clover or green corn. So also an excess of corn meal, cotton 
cake, or similar dry and heating food ; or irritating sub- 
stances, as wild mustard, or various poisonous articles are 
liable to bring it on. 

S3^pt0UlS. — A highly excited state of the nervous system 
is a distinguishing symptom. It is shown by a glaring eye, 
madness, staggers or fits, or by stupidity and palsy of the 
hind quarters. 

The bowels arc at first loose, but this is soon followed by 
an obstinate constipation. The animal often strains vio- 
lently, and passes both blood and watery substances ; and a 
hard swelling may sometimes be detected on the right side, 
owing to impaction of the stomach. In many cases swelling 
of the whole bowels and stomachs comes on early in the di- 
sease, causing severe colicky pains, and greatly adding to the 
animal's suffering. 

After death, the contents of the third stomach are gen- 
erally found hard and dry, the coats of the fourth stomach 
red and inflamed, or pale and soft, and the bowels filled with 
gas and watery, half digested food. The fluid condition of 
the contents of the intestines shows that the obstinate consti- 
j^ation is due to palsy of the bowels. 



Fardcl-Boiuid. 295 

Treatment. — The okl treatment of this disease was bleed- 
ing largely until the animal was faint; giving it a full sized 
dose of purgative medieine, and pouring cold water from a 
height upoQ its head. 

Very few surgeons would follow this plan now. Recog- 
nizing that the disease is an inflammation of' the coats of the 
stomach and bowels, to give strong purges is to rasp and irri- 
tate still more the inflamed membrane, and to lessen the 
chances for life which the beast has left him ; and to bleed 
in a disease where death often comes through exhaustion, is 
contrary to all prudent doctrine. 

Therefore it is best to begin with a sedative and an 

alkali, as : — 

No. 328. Extract of belladonna, 2 drachms. 

Bicarbonate of soda, 1 oz. 

Mix in a quart of water and give three or four times a day. 

Or— 

!No. 329. Tincture of aconite root, 20 drops. 

Lime water, 

Sweet oil, each 4 oz. 

Add to a quart of milk and give three times a day. 

Give the animal plenty of milk and water to drink, and 
as soon as the severest symptoms are abated, horn down a 
quart of linseed oil, repeating it every twenty-four hours till 
it brings on a moderately free evacuation of the bowels. 

Professor Strangeway's treatment, which was very success- 
ful, was as follows : He gave, to begin with, such a dose as 
this :— 

No. 330. Laudanum, 2 oz. 

Castor oil, \}, pints. 

To be given at one dose. 

AVlien the feverish symptoms had to some degree abated, 
he prescribed : — 

No. 331. Sulphate of magnesia, 10 oz. 

Sulphuric acid, 20 drops. 

Quinine, 30 grains. 
Mix witli a <piart of water for one dose. 



296 Uificases of Cattle. 

After this he kept the animal quiet, and did not disturb its 
bowels "Nvith any medicine for three or four days, Avlicn, if 
tlie constij)ation continued, the last prescription was repeated. 
He found it very seldom necessary to do this. 

A peculiar form of impaction of the third stomach is of fre- 
quent occurrence in the corn producing districts of the United 
States, whore at times it has severely devastated the herds. 
This disorder formed the subject of a special report to the De- 
partment of Agriculture by Prof. Gamgee, published in 
1871. He found that it was owing to the cattle eating quan- 
tities of smutty or ergoted corn, and the disease is conse- 
quently most frequent after wet seasons. 

The cattle are constipated. The animal lies down, has an 
unthrifty coat, dry muzzle, dull eye, trembles easily, perhaps 
shivers, or seems delirious. One of two conditions predomi- 
nate ; one of stupor, staggering and sluggishness ; or else of 
excitement, wildness and apparent blindness. The animal 
dies speedily, in from one to four days. At death the third 
stomach is always found firm, distended, and the food caked 
between the folds, while the fourth stomach contains but u 
scant quantity of greenish, half digested matter. 

Almost all animals die unless relieved; but fortunately it 
is not diflicult to treat them so successfully that the danger 
can be averted. At first a purgative must be administered. 
The one Prof. Gamgee recommends is : — 

No. 332. Sulphate of magnesia, 1 lb. 

Powdered aloes, 4 dntchms. 

Powderetl ginger, 2 drachms. 

Water, 1 quart. 

Give in warm linseed tea, oat meal gruel or water. 

Warm ^\ater injections are of the highest importance, and 
they can be given in such cases most advantageously by the 
funnel described on page 43. About a quart or tMO of 
lukewarm water, without anv addition but a little sweet 



Ohsirudlon of the Bowels. 297 

oil to lubricate the instrument, sboiikl be pourod into tlie rec- 
tum every half hour. 

On the second day it may be found tliat the medicine does 
not act very freely. The best agent to be given tlien is : — 

No. 333. * Carbonate of ammonia, h draclim, 

Linseed tea. 1 quart. 

Mix for a drench twice or Ihrice a day. 

As soon as the appetite returns, a succulent diet, such as 
grass, sweet hay, boiled turnips, etc., will complete the cure. 

OBSTRUCTION OF THE BOWELS. 

Definition. — A closure of the intestinal tube, either by 
twisting upon itself, when it is known as " gut tie" or "the 
cords;" or by being involved in the sac of an irreducible rup- 
ture ; or other mechanical means. 

CauSGS. — In the ox such a condition may arise from cas- 
tration carelessly performed, as was pointed out by Professor 
Dick, of Edinburgh • or from dust balls or foreign substances 
becoming impacted in the bowels and setting up inflamma- 
tion which binds the intestines in a cord ; or from kicks and 
severe blows, leading to the same result. Though perhaps 
more common in the ox, it is not, as Mr. Youatt taught, at 
all confined to that animal. 

Symptoms. — These are obstinate and absolute constipa- 
tion, and excessive pain, coming on in paroxysms of atro- 
cious severity. The belly swells, the ears and horns are cold, 
the eyes are indicative of intense suffering, the mouth and 
muzzle turn pale, and the breathing is laborious and heard 
at a distance. The disease continues for six or eight days, 
and death comes from exhaustion. 

Treatment. — The result is usually fatal. Yet cases are 
on record where recovery took place, and the obstruction was 
overcome. 



298 Diseases of Cattle. 

Purges of all kinds are utterly out of place. They arc 
both useless and harmful. The only medicine to give by 
the mouth is the followino; : — 

Xo. 334. Laudanum, 2 oz. 

Extract of belladonna, 2 drachms. 

Essence of ginger, 1 drachm. 

Hub down the extract in a pint of linseed tea, and give the whole 
every two or tlu'ee hours. 

No fears must be had of over dosing, as it is a hand to 
hand fight with death. 

Large clysters of warm water should be given by the rec- 
tum, and repeated every two hours. In some instances the 
addition of a spoonful of tobacco tea to these clysters have 
brought about severe nausea, and with it a relaxation of the 
" tie," followed by prompt relief. 

THE YELLOWS— CONGESTION AND INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 

This is by no means so common a disease among cattle as 
many farriers would have us believe. It is more frequent 
in the Southern than in the Northern States, in the late sum- 
mer and fall than at other seasons, and in milk cows and 
stall fed steers than in other members of the herd. 

Causes. — Over feeding with rich food, the use of heating 
condition powders, sudden changes of the weather from hot to 
cold, producing chills, excessive milking, gall stones, and old 
age. 

Symptoms. — The animal " loses the cud," as the herdmen 
say ; that is, he ceases to ruminate. He appears dull and 
languid, is hide bound, and has a rough, unhealthy coat. 
He is loath to move, loses appetite an.d is generally listless 
and sluggish. Sometimes he staggers and seems weak. 

On examining the whites of the eyes and the interior of 
the mouth, it is found that they have a dull, muddy, yellow- 
ish cast. The bowele are generally costive or have a loose, ill- 



Liver Diseases. 299 

smelling scouring. In cows, tlie secretion of milk is lessened ; 
and in the pasture they wander off by themselves in a de- 
jected manner. 

Treatment. — Tliis should begin by clianging the animal's 
food and surroundings. If it is a stall-fed steer, he should 
be turned into the yard or fiekl, given plain sweet hay or 
bran mashes, with plenty of water. If it is a milk cow on 
a rich pasture, she should be stabled in a roomy stall and 
fed on light slops, her coat well rubbed and curried, and 
milked only moderately. 

For medicines, a moderate warm laxative is in order, as : — 

Ko. 335. Powdered aloes, 

Powdered ginger, each, J oz. 

Ciistile soap (scraped fine), 
Peruvian bark (powdered), each 1 oz 

Mix in a pint of warm water for a drench. 

This may be repeated once every three or four days. 
Anotlier excellent combination is to use small doses of 
turpentine and salts, as: — • 

No. 336. Sulphate of magnesia, 

Common salt, each 2- lb. 

Oil of turpentine, 1 to 2 oz. 

Slippery elm mucilage, 1 quart. 

Give every day or every other day for a week or two. 

The following also will be found efficient in slow cases. It 
is a modification of a formula of Prof. Law : — 

No. 337. Podophyllin, 20 grains. 

Powdered nux vomica, 1 drachm. 

Sulphate of magnesia, 
Powdered gentian, each 1 oz. 

Mix in a quart of gruel or linseed tea for a drench every day or two. 

AVhen jaundice is brought on by a gall stone, we have, in 
addition to the yellow skin as seen in the mouth, and the 
jaundiced eye, heaving of the flanks, a hard, rapid pulse, no 
appetite, but an insatiable thirst. The ears are alternately 
cold and hot, the urine changes to a transparent yellow, dark 



300 Diseases of Cattle. 

red or brown, the bowels are constipated, and "wlien the dung 
passes it is in liard and black masses. For this condition a 
full dose of salts is demanded, combined with opium to re- 
lieve tho pain, as : — 



Ko. 338. Sulphate of magnesia, 
Croton oil, 
Laudanum, 


lib. 

20 drops. 

2oz. 


Mix in a quart of linseed tea. 





Mashes should be given to hasten and incr<;^aso the action 
of the physic, and the animal should be turned out to grass 
during the day. 

EED WATEK— BLACK WATER— BLOODY URINE. 

Definition. — A disease of cattle characterized by the pas- 
sage of reddish, chocolate colored or black urine, the color- 
ing matter being derived from the blood. 

The exact nature of this disease is not yet clearly ascer- 
tained. The urine always contains albumen and broken- 
down corpuscles ; but the kidneys indicate no inflammation, 
their color is lighter than natural, the tubules are enlarged, 
and sometimes their loM^er surfaces spotted with effused 
blood. It is j)robable, therefore, that the disease is a general 
degeneration of the system, showing itself by an early and 
obscure form of kidney disease, similar to some of the 
phases of Bright's disease in man. 

C^nse. — This is well ascertained to be scanty and un- 
healthy food. Indeed, it has been called in England "the 
disease of the poor man's cow." It is quite common in cows 
two or three weeks after calving, when they are fed on 
tui-ni})S grown on swamp lands. It is also frequent in bad 
weather, when fo()d is scanty, and of inferior quality. 

Symptoms. — The characteristic symptom is the color of 
the urine. With this are associated great prostration, palpita- 



Bed Water and Blach Water. 301 

tlon of the heart, a rapid and trembling pulse, and at first 
diarrhea, which is followed by obstinate constipation. 

In the form which attacks cows after calving, there is, in 
addition to the above signs, loss of milk, and the vagina has 
a contracted or puckered-up appearance. The milk some- 
times froths unusually in the pail, and on standing deposits 
a reddish sediment. 

The black water is said by some writers to appear after 
the red, and to be a sign of the advance of the disease to a 
more serious stage. AYhen the change takes place from red 
to black water, the animal often stales several times of a 
natural color. 

Treatment. — As the complaint is essentially one of faulty 
or insufficient food, the most pressing rule is to put the ani- 
mal at once on sound and abundant diet. It should be taken 
from a low lying or scanty pasturage, to one well drained 
and set in succulent grass ; or if stall-fed, turnips should be 
discarded, and plenty of boiled meal, corn, bran and sound 
hay be supplied. Besides this, rich animal food is of great 
value, as half a dozen eggs beat up in half a gallon of milk 
several times a day. 

The violent purgative medicines, and the strong as- 
tringents so much and so indiscreetly urged by old writers, 
should be avoided. The bowels do best with moderate doses 
of oil, as : — - 

No. 339. Castor oil, 2 oz. 

Linseed oil, 1 pt. 

Give at a dose, and repeat every two days for three or four limes. 

The diarrhea generally present at the outset of the disease 
should not be checked, as it is an effort of nature to relieve 
the overloaded circulation. And for the constipation which 
follows, the above oil mixture will be sufficient to relieve it. 

Along with the above, a chlorate of potash and iron mix- 
ture is always of great benefit : — 



302 Diseases of Cattle. 

No. 340. Chlorate of potash, ', oz. 

Tincture of chloride of iron, ^l oz. 

Mix in a pint of thin gruel for a dose : to be repeated twice a day. 

Mr. Gamgee speaks well of the following : — 

No. 341. Sulphnric acid, 1 drachm. 

Laudanum, i oz. 

Molasses, 4 oz. 

Mix with a pint of water in warm gruel and give daily 

Turpentine is advocated by Mr. Dun, Mr. Downing and 
others, as : — 

No. 342. Oil of turpentine, 2 oz. 

Nitrate of potash, 3 oz. 

Iron rust, 1 oz. 
Mix for two doses, night and morning, in gruel. 

The sulphate of iron (copperas) may be substituted for 
the iron rust. 

DYSEIH'EIIY— BLOODY FLUX— SCOURING ROT. 

This disease has already been described as it occurs in the 
horse (page 143). But it is much more frequently seen in 
<"attle, where it has received the name " scouring rot/' when 
it appears in its chronic form. 

Symptoms. — In cattle the acute form is attended with 
shivering, arching of the back, and tenderness about the 
loins. The animal grunts, yawns, grinds its teeth, and at 
short intervals discharges from its bowels a thin and ill- 
smelling dung, mixed with blood and j^us. There is much 
straining of the lower bowel, and the anus looks sore and 
red. There is pain in the belly indicated by arching of the 
back, whisking of the tail, and swelling of the bowels. The 
thirst is excessive, the animal is dull and stupid and loses 
flesh rapidly. 

In the chronic form the thinness is marked, the hide is 
rough, unhealthy and often mangey, the teeth are loose, and 
the dung bloody and fetid. The eyes sink in the head, 



>: i 



Dyseniery. 303 

dropsical swellings appear about the lower jaw and legs, and 
the creature dies exhausted. 

Treatment. — In either form a change of diet is absolutely 

necessary to a restoration to liealth. If stabled, put on dry 

food, and given a pint of linseed oil every day or every 

other day, most slight cases of the acute kind Mill rapidly 

recover. It may be well if the action of the bo%vels does 

not cease promptly, to give a mild astringent, as : — 

No. 343. Powdered alum, 

Powdered ginger, each, I oz. 

Mix and give in a quart of milk once or twice a day till the dis- 
charge moderates. 

Or, 

No. 344. Powdered galls, 

Ipecacuanha, each J oz. 

Mix and give as above. . 

The chronic form is a very obstinate disease, and not un- 
frequeutly baffles every attempt to cure it. Here, too, close 
attention to diet stands in the first line of treatment. Some 
writers recommend that all vegetable food be withheld, and 
the animal fed on broths, thin soups, the blood of other ani- 
mals and milk. The follo^"ing is an excellent food in such 
cases : — 

No. 345. Fresh mutton suet, 2 lbs. 

Fresh milk, G quarts. 

Mix with gentle heat over a slow fire and give while warm. 

Another valuable form of diet is : 

No. 346. Cod liver oil, 2 to 4 oz. 

Fresh eggs, 4 to -3. 

Mix thoroughly in a quart of fresh milk and give twice a day. 

To support these articles of diet, we may choose a gentle 
and stimulating astringent, as : — 

No. 347. Calcined rhubarb in powder, 1 oz. 

Powdered chalk, 2 oz. 

Powdered opium, 2 drachms. 

Mix as a ball or in the food. To be given everv morning. 



304 Diseases of CeiUle. 

When the dysenteiy is of an epidemic character^ Mr. 
Ganigee recommends that the early feverish symptoms be 
subdued with twenty or thirty drojas of the tincture of acon- 
ite root, given twice daily ; and this followed, when the acute 
symptoms subside, with one of the folloAving : — 

No. 348. Chloride of lime, 

Tincture of arnica, each 2 drachms. 

Nitric ether, 1 oz. 

To be given two or three times a day in gruel. 

Or, 

No. 349. Solution of potash, 

Wine of ipecac, of each 1 oz. 

Tmcture of cantharides, \ cz. 

To be given in a quart of warm gruel daily. 

When the discliarges are slimy, bloody and weakening, 
sometimes^ rapid improvement is derived from the fol- 
lowing : — 

No. 350. Corrosive sublimate. 8 grains. 

Water, 1 pint. 

Give one to two tablespoonfuls of this in a quart of water every two 
hours. The dose must, on no account, be greater than this. 

This is well spoken of by jSIr. Finlay Dun and others. 

MILK SICKNESS— THE TREMBLES. 

Definition. — A disease of unknown origin, affecting the 
blood and nervous system, strictly confined to certain locali- 
ties in the Western and Southern States. 

Cause. — This very strange disease has completely puzzled 
all observers to account for its appearance. It is developed 
in cattle by pasturing in certain definite localities, a particu- 
lar meadow, mountain side or bottom. Many have attrib- 
uted it to eating some poisonous plants, especially the Avhite 
snake root, Eapator'mm agerafoidcs. But the flora of the 
localities in question has been repeatedly scrutinized by 
competent botanists, and no })l;uit whatever of a poisonou!> 



MUh Siohicss. 305 

character discovered, (and it appears where tlic snake root is 
unknown, and is unknown where that plant is common), 
have assigned it to drinking water, and others again to aa 
" emanatioii from the soik" But all these are guesses only. 
It is common in some parts of Ohio, Indiana, Southern 
Illinois, Tennessee and South Carolina. 

One of its most serious features is that it is communicable 
to man through the milk of diseased animals ; and it is in 
many instances incurable, and finally fatal. 

So concentrated is the poison that hides of animals which 
have died of it, if eaten by rats and mice, will destroy 
them as certainly as "ratsbane," as has been proven on un- 
questionable authority. Horses and sheep arc also liable to 
attacks of it. 

Symptoms. — The principal symptoms of the trembles are 
great weakness and prostration of the nervous system, dull- 
ness and drooping, accompanied by obstinate constipation and 
colic. The animals are unable to make any ])nt the shortest 
journeys, and on the least fatigue stagger and tremble, or 
drop down. 

Should they recover, or apparently so, and resume their 
usual condition of health, this nervous exhaustion remains, 
and they are never able to bear a long march. Animals 
which die of the disease usually present an acute inflamma- 
tion of the intestinal canal. 

Treatment. — This is either by largo doses of stimulr.nts 
or by full (|uantities of salts and other purgatives, aided by 
injections to overcome the constipation ; or In' both thcso 
methods combined, as occasion demands. 

The pasturage should be changed and the suspected field 
j)loughcd up and cropped; or if it is a grove, it should be 
cut down, stubbed and tilled. Whatever the cause of the 

20 



306 Diseases of Cattle. 

disease may be, it has been conclusively shown that it disap- 
pears by cultivation of the infected district. 

As the milk of ])Oor and underfed animals is always much 
more dangerous than that of well fed ones, a full diet and 
tonics are clearly demanded in all cases "where the trembles 
have showed themselves, 

EHETTMATISM— FELOir. 

Th"s disease has already been spoken of as it aflPects the 
horse, and the symptoms and treatment in cattle ai'e substan- 
tially the same. (See page 178). 

The advantages of blisters are conspicuous, and their use 
should not be neglected. Nitrate of potash (saltpeter) should 
be given to the ox in larger doses than to the horse, say two 
ounces twice a day ; and a jHirgo, half a pound to a pound 
of sulphate of magnesia (epsom salts) is preferable to aloes. 

Cows, when suffering from rheumatism, will often lie down 
and refuse to rise. In such cases repeated change of bedding 
is absolutely necessary. The animal must be kept dry, clean 
and warm. The inflamed joints should be wrapped in dry 
flannel, and protected from injury. 

Rheumatism in cattle is more apt than in any other ani- 
mal to pass into suppuration and sloughing of the joint, 
causing what is sometimes called " bustian foul." This con- 
dition is incurable, and when it occurs the animal should be 
slaughtered at once, to put it out of its misery. 

Treatment. — Of several plans of treatment specially 
adapted to cattle we may mention that by sulphur. This drug 
has an old and probably just reputation for chronic cases. 

No. 351. Flour of sulphur, 8 oz. 

Ginger, h cz. 

Give in gruel every third day. 

Small doses of turi)entine combined with an alkali have 
also received praise in responsible quarters, as : — 



i 



Treatment of Rheumatism. 307 

No. 352. Oil of turpentine, 1 oz. 

Bicarbonate of soda, 1 to 2 oz. 

This amount in gruel every day or two. 

Another frequently valuable mixture for old cases is : — 

No. 353. Powdered guaiacum, 

Caraway seeds, 

Aniseed, of each 2 or 3 drachms. 

Give in a quart of a decoction of willow bark every day. 

The willow bark contains salicin, a clru;^ of much value 
in rheumatic complaints. 

Of embrocations to relieve the affected joints, those con- 
taining turpentine are among the best, as : — 

No. 354. Neat'sfoot oil, 4 oz. 

Oil of origanum, 

Oil of turpentine, 

Laudanum, of each 1 oz. 

Mix and apply by gentle and thorough friction. 

No. 355. Olive oil, 2 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, 
Strong solution of ammonia, each 1 oz. 

Mix. This is a strongly exciting liniment. 

These are very suitable in the " lumbago,'^ or pain in the 
loins, which cows and oxen of rheumatic constitution are apt 
to be troubled with. In such cases, besides friction with the 
above, it is well to keep the lower bowel free with warm in- 
jections of water or soap and water, and to cover the hind 
quarters of the animal with rubber cloth. 

This variety of rheumatism is sometimes known as "felon," 
when in its acuter form. The beast is then more or less off 
his food. Plis coat is staring, his eye dull, his nose is dry 
and his back or loins are sore, so that he flinches when the hand 
is pressed along the sides of the backbone, and arcl.cs his 
back. Often vith this his teeth loosen. In such c:i.-es, if 
he is well housed and given the following cordial, he will 
generally soon recover : — 



308 Diseases of Cattle. 

No. 353. Turmeric, 

Fenugreek, 
Powdered aniseed. 
Powdered liquorice, of each 1 oz. 

Mix, and giv. in a quart of ale daily for a few days. 

A respectable English writer, Mr. M. ]M. INIilburn, in his 
work on Dairy Husbandry, recommends a singular opera- 
tion for this complaint, which he says he has tried in hun- 
dreds of cases with entire success. It is to cut the under side 
of the tail. This relieves the back and fastens the teeth. 
The operation is thus performed : Feel for a soft place on 
the under side of the tail. The knobs felt are the joints ; 
between them lies the bone. Cut the skin across at the soft 
part ; it will bleed for eight or ten minutes. When the 
bleeding has ceased, tie up the tail with a piece of linen cloth. 
As the operation is simple and safe, and may act in some 
efficient curative manner, it is worth remembering. 

FOUL IN THE FOOT— FOTJL CLAW. 

Definition. — A. disease of cattle characterized by inflam- 
mation and suppuration of the substance between the cleft of 
tlie hoof, and occasionally extending to the bones and joints 
of the foot, producing great lameness, with much fever, loss 
of condition, and even death. It is most commonly, but not 
invariabl}', seen in the hind feet. 

Causes. — These arc : Overgro^sAi;!! of the hoof, causing an 
excessive strain on its parts ; the irritation of pebbles, thorns, 
dirt or otl:^r foreign sub^ance caught between the claws; and 
sometimes a general scrofulous character of the constitution. 

Symptoms. — These are evident in the lameness of the 
animal, and in the condition of the foot. Where it arises 
from a scrofulous condition of the blood, it is apt to be asso- 
ciated with the signs of consumption, as described ou page 



Foul ill the Foot. 309 

287. Ill tliese instances the eiForts at cure will not l)c likely 
to J) rove successful. 

Treatment. — If attended to in time, the disease is not 
difficult to manage, except when it is owing to scrofula. All 
loose horn should be removed, and all dirt and foreign sub- 
stances. The wound, if much inflamed, should then be poul- 
ticed for a day or two ; and after that dressed with one of 
the astringent applications given below (Nos. 357-9). 

If the pus has Ixirrowed much in the surrounding tissue, 
it is best to syringe the foot thoroughly with a solution of 
carbolic acid, one part of the acid to ten or twelve of \Miter ; 
and having done this, soak small pledgets of tow in the solu- 
tion and fasten them in the wound with bandages. The ani- 
mal should be kept in a clean stable, or on a dry, short pas- 
turage. 

Some neglected cases are met with, w^here the foul has ex- 
tended into the foot and up as high as the fetlock ; the claws 
are separated by the swelling, the bones are attacked and 
rotten, the stench is overpowering and the animal " dead 
lame." Cattle so troubled will give up the struggle for life ; 
will refuse their food, lose flesh, lie down and die. 

But even such desperate cases may be often cured com- 
pletely by amputation — taking ofi" the foot through the fet- 
lock joint; or, if this is too diseased, by sawing through the 
canon bone above it. This is not a difiicult nor dangerous 
operation, and gives the owner a chance to feed up the ani- 
mal for the butcher, which should be done as soon as possi- 
ble. The animal should be cast, a sharp knife used, and 
abundantly long flaps of sound skin and flesh be left on each 
side of the limb, to fold over and cover the ends of the bone. 
Bleeding should be prevented by a ionrniquet, and the arte- 
ries carefully tied. Carbolized water is the best dressing for 



310 Diseases of Cattle. 

the stump, as it is not only disinfecting and healing, but 
keeps away the flies. 

Of local applications to foul cla^v there are many, as : — 

No. 357. Oil of turpentine. 

Lard, of each 4 oz. 

l*owdered .'^ulphate of copper, 1 oz. 
Melt together the lard and turpentine and add the copper. 

No. 358. Carbolic acid, 1 drachm. 

Water, 6 oz. 

Apply by a brush or feather, and cover with a piece of tow wet with- 
it. 

No. 359. Chloride of zinc, 10 to 20 grains. 

Water, 1 oz. 

Use as the last. 

Saturated solutions of alum, or of sulphate of copper, or 
the sulphate in crystal, or the pencil of nitrate of silver, may 
also be used to remove the diseased slough. Mr. Youatt's 
suggestion of a poultice mixed with one-fourth oil of tur- 
pentine is useful where it is difficult to cleanse the hoof. 

LICE, TICKS, AND OTHER VERMIN. 

Cattle, cows and calves, especially when in poor condition, 
are very subject to attacks of several species of lice, and as 
these pests propagate with incredible rapidity, they infect 
other stock as we\\ as the stables and barns. Hence, no time 
should be lost in attacking them vigorously ; and at the 
same time the cattle are treated, the stables should be thor- 
oughly cleaned and whitewashed, and the posts, stones and 
other scratching places be painted with crude petroleum or 
gas tar. 

On a previous page (260) we have suggested various 
remedies for lice in horses, any of which may also be used 
in cattle. None, however, of a poisonous character should 
be used on these latter animals on account of their habit of 
licking themselves, and each other. A useful wash, and a 
justly popular one, is a strong decoction of tobacco leaves, 



Lice on Cattle. 311 

saturated with rock salt. AYith this the hide should be well 
saturated several times at intervals of three or four days. 
This repetition is absolutely essential to success, as the nits in 
which the lice store their eggs, and which can readily be seen 
fastened to the hair, have a covering of a waxy material 
wholly insoluble in water or mild alkalies. They all hatch 
out in a week or ten days, and by repeating the wash, the 
young are killed before they have had time to deposit other 
nits. 

The covering of the nits is, however, readily soluble in 
alcohol. Therefore, the most effective of all louse-killing 
preparations are made by pouring common spirits of some 
kind on tobacco leaves, allowing it to stand for a few days 
then bottling for use. Such tinctures of stavesacre seeds, and 
of cocculus indicus are also very promptly destructive to 
vermin of all kinds in the hide and fleece of animals ; but 
these two last mentioned drugs are actively poisonous when 
taken internally, and must not be carelessly used. It may be 
said of the cocculus, that it is so intensely bitter that we 
question whether a cow would lick her hide with that flavor 
on it. 

An excellent and cheap oily preparation is : — 

No. 360. Linseed oil, 4 parts. 

Common creasote, 1 part. 

Mix well together. 

Another is : — 

No. 301. Flowers of sulphur, 1 lb. 

Oil of turpentine, 2 pt. 

Train oil, 4 pints. 

Mix the sulphur with the train oil by gentle heat, and when cold, stir 
in the turpentine. 

Ticks which infest live stock should not be pulled off, but 
snipped in two with a pair of scissors, and the head half 
which remains touched with a feather dipped in oil of tur- 
pentine. 



312 Diicases of Cattle. 

>"o. 3(52. Common carbolic acid, 1 oz. 

AVliale or neats foot cil, 1 qt. 

Mix for outward use. 

This both destroys vermhi and J^ce|)s away liics from ani- 
mals. 



Diseases of Cows. 313 

CHAPTER III. 

DISEASES OF THE CO^V IN PIIEGXAXCY AND CALVING. 

Barrenness or Sterility. 

Abortion — Slinkinc/ — Slipping — Dropping the Calf. 

Calving or Parturition ; Rigid Ncch of the Womb; Bending 
of ill e Neck of the JVoinb. 

Zninatural Positions of the Calf 

Flooding. 

Retained After-birth. 

Inversion of the Womb'. 

Iledlcal Treatment of Ccdvlng. 

Management of the 3111k; To dry the milk ; To bring on or 
increase the m'lk; To correct bloody and blue milk. 

Milk Fever — Puerperal Fever — Parturient Fever — Partur- 
ient Apoplexy — Inflammation of the Vt^omb. 

Ga rget — Ca ked Bag — Mammitis. 

BAREENNESS OR STERILITY. 

Barrenness in high priced cows, bouo-ht or raised for the 
purpose of breeding, is a serious loss to the owner, and it is 
worth making energetic attempts to remedy it. Its causes 
are either constitutional or accidental. 

Constitutional barrenness generally exists in heifers twinned 
with a bull calf. They are called " free martins," and rarely 
go in heat, and when they do, they fail to conceive. Usually 
they have a steer-like appearance, though smaller in growth. 
When tlieir sex organs are examined they are found to be 
small and ill-developed. 

Incomplete growth of the ovaries and malformations of 
the genital organs, are other constitutional causes of sterility 
found occasionally in the lower animals. It is needless to 
say that any attempt to remedy these defects are vain. 



314 Disecuses of Cattle. 

Accidental barrenness is quite frequent. In the large 
majority of eases it can be traced directly to improper food 
or exercise. This does not mean insufficient food. On the 
contrary, probably the most common of all causes of barren- 
ness in cows is overfeeding — to which the most valuable ani- 
mals are tor obvious reasons most exposed. 

It is well ascertained that a fat heifer is slow to heat and 
uncertain in conception. Such animals should be turned 
out on a poor pasture with a young bull. This will often 
succeed in cases given u;) as hopeless. 

I^aek of exercise is another common cause. Many in- 
stances might be quoted ^vhere a barren cow, after driving a 
hundred miles and then turned in with a bull, bred in a 
short time. Part of the effect of this may be owing to change 
of climate. For it has often been noticed that cows barren 
on the low lands have bred when changed to a hilly, bracing 
upland pasture ; or from the interior to the seashore. 

Fatty and sweet food, such as oil cake, sugar cane, sorghum, 
etc., have a tendency to prevent the proper change of the 
ovaries ; indeed, they are asserted to bring about a fatty de- 
generation in their substance, and thus lead to permanent 
sterility. 

Causes of an opposite kind are too great delicacy of con- 
stitution, and a lack of vigor either from a wasting disease, 
over-milking or absence of nutritious food. In the first stage 
of consumption cows generally heat violently and repeatedly, 
but do n..t conceive. 

The general treatment of barrenness will be suggested by 
the above remarks. When it appears to be owing to exces- 
sive fat, a full dose of sulphate of magnesia, repeated two or 
three times at intervals of a week, will aid in bringing the 
animal to proper condition. Good breeders should be only 
in good flesh, without being forced. Not only do they take 
the bull more regularly, but they have healthier calves, and 
are less liable to drop them prematurely. 



Abortion or Slinking. 315' 

Of course, the barrenness may be due to the bull. If he 
is excessively fat or lean, or old, or diseased, it may interfere 
with his procreative powers; so that a cow which seems 
well fitted for conception, and yet remains barren, should be 
served by diiFcrent bulls. It has been supposed by some 
writers that a perfectly healthy cow may fail with an equally 
healthy bull, and yet take with another one. This appears 
to occur, for example, where the relationship is very close. 

ABOKTION— SLINKING— SLIPPING— DROPPING THE CALF. 

The premature dropping of the calf usually occurs from 
the fourth to the seventh month. It frequently becomes 
epidemic in a dairy, and the immense loss it entails on farm- 
ers may be judged from a statement made some years ago by 
the New York State Agricultural Society, that in that State 
alone the money value of the loss had been for several years 
over four million dollars annually. 

Within the last few years many of the most important 
dairy regions of New York, Pennsylvania and other States 
have suiFcred severely from this malady, all the cows some- 
times aborting, one after another, W'ithout discoverable cause 
or cure. Nevertheless it is a complaint which, by judicious 
precautions and early and active treatment, can be prevented 
and checked. 

Causes, — In studying the causes of the disease the stock 
owner should first examine into the food of the animals. It 
has been abundantly shown that wet, frosted and mouldy 
fodder, smutty or mouldy grain, ergoted corn or rye, and, on 
the other hand, too rich food, will strongly 2)redispose to 
'slinking. Heating condition powders, violent purges, blows 
on the belly, over teazing by the bull, are other and common 
causes. 

Next to these comes the presence of a foul atmosphere in 
the cow-house, yard or field. Decaying animal matters, as 



310 Diseases of Cattle. 

the refuse from a slaughter house, glue factory or hatters' es- 
tablishment, should be most carefully guarded against. 

The third and most important of all causes, as it is the 
true s^^-cret of the epidemic prevalence of abortion in a dairy, 
is the odor of the locliia or uterine discharges of the cow in 
abortion. This odor is easily detected the moment one en- 
ters tlie cow yard, and it is peculiarily offensive to other cows. 
They cease feeding, sniff the air, become excited and bellow. 
Some sympathetic influence is produced on their uterine or- 
gans, and in a few days one or more of them abort, and thus 
the disease is propagated through the herd until sometimes 
every cow in calf has dropped her fetus. 

Symptoms. — An aborting cow is a constant source of dan- 
ger to a dairy, and whenever such a one is found in the herd, 
she should be taken off her milk, fattened and killed. But, 
as in buying new cows, the purchaser may obtain one, it is of 
great importance that he should closely watch cows in l)reg- 
nancy, and, at the first signs of abortion, separate the cow 
from the rest of the herd. These signs are as follows : 

The animal is noticed to be off her feed, to " lose her cud," 
is listless and dull, the milk dries up, she lies down longer 
than usual, stands for a longer time on rising, and walks with 
a slight staggering gait. Or in other cases, she is uneasy, 
l^aws the ground, refuses food and rests her hccid on the 
manger. 

If at this time the belly is carefully examined, it will be 
found slightly altered in shape, less round and somewhat en- 
larged. And if the vagina should be inspected, there will 
be observed a slight discharge of whitish, glairy fluid ; or, 
if further advanced, the fluid will be of a yellow or reddish 
hue. 

These are the signs which should admonish the owner to 
isolate the cow at a long distance from her companions. 



Abortion or Slinking. 317 

Later on, the animal begins to moan, the pangs of labor 
come on with more or less violence, and the fruit of the 
womb is expelled, sometimes living, but generally dead, and 
often putrid and escaping by piecemeal. 

Treatment. — This is largely indicated by what we have 
said above, so far as the prevention of the epidemic is con- 
cerned. But there is one precaution which cannot be too 
strongly urged. 1'hat is, as soon as the abortion has once 
commenced, proceed to deliver the fetus at once, and bury it 
deep in the ground, sprinkling it freely with carbolic acid or 
chloride of lime. We need here not merely a dismfectant, 
but one with a povrcrful smell of its own to overcome the 
odor of the lochia. 

The cow should then receive attention. The afierbirlh 
having also been removed and buried, the vagina should be 
syringed with a solution of chloride of lime, one ounce to the 
quart of water; the stall should be cleaned, washed with the 
solution, and freshly littered ; and for a month at least, the cow 
should not be allowed to associate with others. The whole 
herd should at once be put upon doses of chlorate of potash., 
J oz. daily, which it is believed has been proven to exert a 
beneficial influence. 

After recovery, the cow should not be allowed to take the 
bull until the third or fourth time she is in heat, as if she 
conceives in her first or second heat, it is quite certain that 
she will abort again. If on her next pregnancy she again 
aborts, there should be no hesitation in at once fattening and 
selling her, as she is a standing menace to the welfare of the 
whole dairy. 

Recent discussions in the AgriculLural Societies of New 
York, Ohio, and other large dairy districts, have led to the 
recognition of two important and avoidable causes of abor- 
tion. One of these is a deficiency of mineral matter in the 



318 Diseases of Cattle. 

food. This can be remedied by giving each cow during her 
pregnancy one quart of corn moal, with a tcaspoonful of 
fresh, finely ground bone every morning. It is no unusual 
sight to see cows knawing at old bones to satisfy this natural 
want of the system. 

The second precaution is to have a bull who is not ex- 
hausted. He sliouhl have served no cow for a week, and 
should I^e put to the female in the evening, and but once. 
The cow should be stabled by herself for the night, and 
kept away from the bull, or teasing steers, during the whole 
of her pregnancy. She should be dried at least six weeks 
before her calving date 

It should be added that the latest discussions of the sub- 
ject endorse the opinion of Mr. Youatt, that the odor of the 
vaginal discharges accompanying abortion are highly irri- 
tating to the uterine system of other pregnant cows. 

CALVING OR PARTURITION. 

In most of the lower animals the process of child-birth is 
one consummated with little pain, and few complications. In 
the cow, however, more frequently than in any other animal, 
the assistance of man is called for ; and this appears to be 
especially the case in high bred and delicately nurtured ani- 
mals. 

Itshould.be a rule, however, to avoid giving assistance 
until is is really necessary. Frequently by waiting patiently, 
nature will succeed in overcoming obstacles to the exit of the 
calf, vrhleh we might only injure by premature attempts at 
interference. So long as the bag of "waters has not burst, 
there is no occasion for action, providing the passage of the 
vagina is clear, and the womb is in a healthy condition. The 
latter is subject to two irregularities, both involving what is 
called the ncch of the womb, which is that portion immedi- 
ately above its wiou//;, or external opening, into the vagina. 



Calving. 319 

1. Rigid Neck of the M^omb. 

This is the condition called in old farriery books by the 
curious terra "the hornin;^ of the lye," because the lye. calf- 
bed or womb is found to present a stiff, horn-like end in 
the vagina. It may be suspected to be present when the cow 
is at her full time, M'hen she has labor-pains, and when there 
is a delay in the descent of the calf. On oiling the hand and 
introducing it into the vagina the neelv of the wosnb v/ill be 
felt as a hard body at its furthest extremity, the moutlfbeing 
small and unyielding. 

Treatment. — If time does not press, and the am- is not 
excited, some extract of belladonna should bo carried up the 
vagina and smeared around the neck. Sometimes this will 
cause it to relax in a few hours. 

But if the case is pressing, there is no use experimenting 
with this means. A narrow-bladcd, blunted-pointed knife 
should be carried up the vagina in the hand, the mouth of 
the womb felt for and fixed with the fore finger, and then 
the blade of the knife slipped along the finger until it enters 
the neck of the womb to the depth of about a quarter of an 
inch. A slight cut should then be made on all four sides of 
the neck l)y turning the knife. A mere nick is enough, as 
the mouth once loosened in its contraction the neck will soon 
give way, and the bag of waters will accomplish the dilata- 
tion. 

2. Bending of the Neck. 

This is a form of accident not occurring in child-birth, ex- 
cept in the c<>\\\ The neck of the womb is twisted so as to 
bring the mouth upward or to one side, and prevent the ex- 
pul.'Ion efforts of the womb acting in the direction of the 
canal of the vagina. It may be suspected to exist when 
labor pains continue for some tin:io without the appearance of 
the bag of waters. On feeling with the hand, r.o mouth of 
the womb will be discernable. 



320 Diseases of Cattle. 

To relieve it, the cow sliould be cast Avith her head up liill ; 
the surgeon should introduce his hand, and pressing ou the 
fetus through the walls of the avoui!i, push it firmly in the 
opposite direction from which the bending is ; while one or 
two men should roll the cow briskly over on the other s:de 
in the direction in which the twist has taken j^lacc. This 
may have to be repeated several times, but will generally suc- 
ceed in releasing the mouth from its unnatural position. 

Ulf NATURAL POSITIONS Oj? THE CALF. 

The natural position of the calf on its exit from the womb 
is with its head and fore fe:t fir,:;t, the head between the feet 
and the back upwards. Six unnatural positions are enuraer- 
atcd by writers, which demand the assistance of the surgeon. 
We give them in the order of their frequency, with tlie ap- 
propriate treatment they require. 

1. Position with fail first. 

Press the haunches flack witli the palm of the hand, take 
hold of the bend of the hough of one leg, pull at it and reach 
the foot. Seize the other foot in the same manner, bring 
them forth and deliver the body. 

2. Position with fore fed appearing without tlie head. 

Push the feet back until the head can be seized, either by 
the jaw or nose, and pull it down between the feet. No 
further aid will be required. This needs a long arm, and 
prompt action between the pains. 

3. Position tuith hclhj upward, head over one shoidder, fore 
legs first. * 

Gently push the calf back between the pains, and bring 
the head down between the legs. 

4. Fore feet first f with head under the hrishet. 

Push the calf back, find the head, and drav>^ it down be- 
tween the fore feet. 



Ilanagcincnt of Calving. o21 

5. Head alone, or only one forefoot with it. 

Push tlic calf back and search for the fore feet or foot, 
under the belly ; when found, bring forward one at a thne, 
by placing the hand under the knee and using gentle }>rcssure. 

6. Belhj upwards, the fore legs folded and. against the mother's 
back, the head, side or hind leg ap'pearing. 

If the hind leg appear, ])ut it back ; seek for the head, 
and if possible turn the calf, to bring the fore feet and head to 
the mouth. When this fails, throw the cow, put her on her 
l)ack, and with a rope and pulley, or two or three stout assist- 
ants, raise her hind quarter considerably higher than her 
shoulders. In this position the calf may be easily pushed 
back in the uterus so that it can be turned and brought to 
the natural position. 

Many surgeons make it a rule to fasten the part present- 
ing with a cord and slip knot before going in search of the 
part they desire to bring to the nioutii. The cord is held by 
an assistant, and serves as a guide. 

The principal obstetric instrument in the cow is the hooh. 
This is made of wrought iron, four inches long, with a loop 
for the cord at the straight end. When by no other means 
the calf can be delivered, or when removing a dead foetus, 
this hook is fistened in the socket of an eye, under the jaw 
or in an ear, and by gentle and steady traction tlie resistance 
is ovei'come. 

Finally, the foetus may have to be taken out piecemeal, an 
operation which requires considerable skill on the part of the 
operator, to avoid wounding the womb and vagina, when he 
is dissecting the calf. 

In all such operations certain general rules shoukl be ob- 
served, as follows : — 

1. Thoroughly anoint the hand Avith 1 .rd or oil, before 
introducing it into the vagina. 

21 



322 DiseascH of Catth\ 

2. ]\Iake the examinations while the cow is standing-, and 
between the pains. 

3. In pulling at the feet, enclose the claws in the hollow of 
the jjalm, so that they will not tear the delicate coats of the 
womb. 

FLOODING. 

Sometimes after a natural birth which has been rapid, and 
often after an abortion which has been brought on by vio- 
lence, there is a severe attack of "flooding," or bleeding from 
the womb. It may escape from the vagina, or it may be in- 
dicated by paleness of the mouth and nose, weak pulse, great 
weakness and coldness of the surface, and the womb be found 
to be filled with clotted blood. 

Tro&tment. — The hand should be introduced into the 
womb, the clots and any remaining portion of the afterbirth 
seized and extracted, and a sponge dipped in hot vinegar 
and water, or very hot or very cold water alone, be wrung 
out in the uterus. A full dose of fresh ergot of rye, one to 
two ounces, should be given without delay. 

If these measures fail, a piece of ice the size of a walnut 
should be carried into the womb and left there • or a tea- 
spoonful of powdered alum should be stirred in a teacupful 
of milk, and a spongeful of this be squeezed out in the 
womb. Internally, Prof. Gamgee, recommends for either the 
mare or cow — 

No. 363. Compound tincture of cinnamon, 3 oz. 

Dilute sulphuric acid, 5 cz. 

Mix and give two tablespoonfuls for a dose every one or two hours, in 
a quart of water. 



Management of Calving. 323 

BETAINED AFTERBIETH. 

A variety of causes may lead to the retention of the after- 
birth. Sometimes it is firmly adherent to the walls of the 
■\vomb ; at others it is owing to hurried delivery, poverty of 
condition, etc. Should it be left, it is liable to putrefy, caus- 
ing a fetid discharge which exhausts and poisons the animal, 
and vitiates the air of the whole barn. 

A retention for a few days in the 'ow does no harm under 
ordinary circumstances. But if it is protracted longer than 
that the hand should be introduced, and the afterbirth sepa- 
rated carefully from the walls of the uterus, by a process of 
peeling it off, and gradual but firm pulling. When it has 
been removed, a solution of chloride of lime, an ounce to the 
quart of water, should be thoroughly syringed into the 
vagina ; a moderate purge of salts should be given ; and if 
there is a tendency to bleed a full dose of ergot, two ounces 
of the powder may be administered. 

INVERSION OF THE WOMB. 

This serious accident occasionally occurs MJien there is 
excessive and persistent straining. The womb, or '' calf- 
bag," as it is called by the cow-leech, follows the calf, and 
hangs forth from the birth-place in the form of a large red 
or violet-colored bag. Sometimes the accident is not dis- 
covered for an hour or two, when the womb will be found 
dirty, thick, purple-colored, and gorged with blood. 

The treatment is to clean the bag thoroughly, by free 
drenching with warm water ; and if it is swollen and gorged 
with blood, it must be punctured in a number of places with 
a shariJ-pointcd knife, just deep enough to bring about a dis- 
charge of the overloaded veins. When sufficient blood has 
been lost, the bleeding should be sta}'ed by cold water, and 
two assistants should place a cloth underneath the bag and 



324 Dliseuiies of Cattle. 

lift it to the level of the vagina. Tlie operator then oils the 
surface of the bag, and places his right hand, also well oiled, 
against the point or horn of the bag Avhicli is furthest from 
the vagina, and by pressing gently but steadily on it returns 
it into the vagina, and presses it up as far as possible. With 
his left hand he now presses on the most dependent part, in a 
simihir manner, and forces it up. The assistants follow the 
re-entering bag and keep it from again extruding. And 
thus, often after considerable labor, the whole is returned. 

Such an accident is, however, very apt to recur ; and to 
prevent it the vagina should be filled with al)all of tow, and 
this retained in place by a band fastened to a collar around 
the cow's neck, and kept in place by straps, passing abovt, 
and below, to a girth in front of the udder. 

If the replacing is interfered with by continued severe 
labor 2)ains, the cow should at once have half an ounce of 
chloroform and two ounc;s of laudanum, in a quart of milk. 

After the operation, the cow should be kejit very quiet, 
and the bowels restrained by doses of laudanum for a day 
or two. After twenty-four hours, if the pains have ceased, 
the bandage may be removed. 

In preventing falling of the womb the great point is to 
keep the hind quarters of the cow in a raised position during 
parturition and for some hours afterward ; in fact, until the 
afterbirth has come away. This may be done to some ex- 
tent by making a thicker bed of litter at the tail. In some 
high-class German cow houses, where the cow receives, and 
comes to require, about as much attention at these periods as 
the human female, the floor of the 'Hying-in stall" slopes 
toward the rack, so that the hind quarters are constantly ele- 
vated. 



Management of Calving. 325 

MEDICAL TEEATMENT OF CALVIITG. 

Generally speaking, as an aid to birtli giving, medical 
treatment is not necessary; the olTspring coming naturally, at 
the full period, can generally be got hold of by the hand, 
and brought away with gentle force, or by waiving, will 
emerge without assistance. 

Nevertheless, when the labor j)ains are languid, and occur 
at long intervals, and where the animal has been in labor for 
a (considerable time, and it is found on examination that there 
is no obstruction, a nptural position, and a dilated mouth of 
the womb, full doses of crgoty one to two ounces, should be 
given. This drug does not act very efficiently on cows, and 
has to be administered in large doses. 

Another instance where medicine is needed is M'here, both 
in mares and cows, there is considerable irritability and 
straining after the birth has come away. Unless it subsides 
promptly the animal should liave the following draught: — 

No. 364. Chloroform, 

Laudanum, each i oz. 

Give in a quart of warm milk, and repeat every hour until relief is 
obtained. 

Sometimes this irritability shows itself in repeated spasms 
or convulsions. The above mixture is then very applica- 
ble ; but if there is a dry muzzle and a hot horn, showing a 
tendency to a feverish condition, the following is preferable : 

No. 3 jo. Sweet spirits of nitre, 

Laudanum, of each 2 oz. 

Solution of acetate of ammonia, 4 oz. 

Give in a quart of milk every hour, till relieved. 

Some cows, especially those in low condition, for a week 
or two before calving lose the power of their hind limbs, 
and are unable to stand. Little can be done before they give 
birth, besides allowing them laxative and nutritious food and 
tonic medicine, while seeing that they are well bedded and 



326 Biseiises of Cattle. 

turned over several times a day. After calving, most cases 
gradually regain the use of their limbs ; Init when this is not 
the ease, or tiiey gain too slowly, the following may be used 
with every prospect of prompt advantage : — 

No. 36G. Powdered mix vomica, 

Sulphate of iron, each 2 drachms. 

Give in a pint or two of gruel, twice a day. 

Mustard should be well rubbed in over the loins, and the 
animal forced to rise on her feet as soon as she is able — 
which she is often by no means willing to do. 

The older veterinarians were accustomed to give to all 
cows, after calving, what they called a " cleansing drink," on 
the ground that it prevented milk fever and other illnesses. 
The modern school docs not approve of these, believing that 
they are generally needless and sometimes liurtfid, by bring- 
ing on irritation of the bowels, or by weakening the animal. 
We give two of the least objectionable of these drinks, which, 
being warm and stimulating, are not out of place in con- 
ditions of unusual debility : — 

No. 367. Powdered aniseed, 

" myrrh, 

" allspice, 

" cummin seed, each, 1 oz. 

To be stirred in a quart of warm gruel, for a drench. 

No. 368. Soap, 

Spermaceti, 

Powdered ginger, of each, h oz. 

Aniseed, in powder, 

Carraway seed, " of each, 1 oz. 

Molasses, 4 cz. 

Give in a quart of warm gruel. 

It is sufficient, however, to j^revent constipation, if present, 
and to cleanse the vagina by an antiseptic wash if the dis- 
charge is foul. For the first we recommend : — 

No. 369. Sulphate of magnesia, ] lb. 

Ground aniseed, 1 oz. 

Olive oil, G cz. 
Give in a pint of gruel, and repeat daily, if needed. 



Management of Calving. 327 

For syringing the vagina, stir a pound of clilorido of lime 
in two gallons of water, and when it has settled pour off the 
clear fluid, for use. Or, pour a gallon of boiling Avater on a 
pint of clean wood tar, stir and let it settle. Either of these 
will prove a cheap and excellent cleansing wash. A pint or 
t\"o should be thrown up twice a day. 

Instead of constipation, some cows after calving are 
troubled Avith a relaxed condition of tlie bowels, with con- 
stant diarrhea, which prevents them from promptly regaining 
strength. For this condition Mr. Finley Dun recommends 
one of the folloM'ing astringent, anodyne drenches, as among 
the best that could be selected : — 

No. 370. Powdered catechu, 2 drachms. 

■■ ginger, 1 oz. 

Sulphuric acid, 30 drops. 

Laudanum, 1 oz. 

Give in a quart of gruel, ale, or weak whisky and water. 

No. 371. Powdered ginger, 

Bicarbonate of soda, 

Laudanum, 

Decoction of oak bark, of each, 1 oz. 

Give several times a day, in gruel or ale. 

Half this dose suffices for six months' calves, in similar 
conditions of the bowels. 

MANAGEMENT OF THE MILK. 

The management of the secretion of the milk divides it- 
self into the three subjects : — the means of drying it up 
when the cow is about to calve, or is to be fattened ; the 
means of increasing the supply when it is deficient ; and its 
improvement when in an unhealthy condition. 

1. To dry the milJc. 

The average jieriod before calving at which a cow should 
be allowed to go dry is about six Aveeks. Poor and weak 



328 Diseases of Cattle. 

cows should have two months, while one month is enough 
for vigorous ones. 

Usually by lessening the milk taken day by day, so as al- 
ways to leave some in the udder, a cow will dry without 
painful swelling of the gland. When this is too long de- 
layed, the customary "drying drench" is to boil half an 
ounce of powdered alum in a pint of milk, and give it every 
morniug. Rubbing the udder with ointment of belladonna 
is also an efficient and safe means. 

2, To bring on or increase the mill:. 

It occasionally happens that the secretion of milk, espe- 
cially in heifers, is too slight in quantity tor the calf, or is 
backward in making its appearance at the proper time. 
Nourishing and abundant food, with a change of diet, will 
generally remedy this, along with gentle frictions of the ud- 
der and teat, so as to excite the glands to greater activity. 

When the secretion is checked, a large poultice of the 
leaves of the castor oil plant, chopped fine and applied every 
morning, has considerable local celebrity. A prescription, 
in such cases, recommended by Prof. Gamgee, is — 

No. 372. Black sulphuret of antimony, 2 oz. 

Powdered fennel seed, 
Common salt, of each 4 oz. 

One quarter of this to be mixed with the food every day. 

3. To correct bloody and blue milh. 

Bloody milk comes from blows on the udder, certain 
poisonous plants, from the sexual heat, and garget. 

When it appears, it is a safe rule to give the cow a dose 
of salts, and to foment the udder in hot water with a little 
vinegar added. The milking should be gentle and thorough, 
and the diet altered so as to avoid any unknown irritating 
substance she may have been eating. 

Blue or sticky milk is due to the presence of a low form 
of vegetation in the secretion, easily seen under a microscope 



3Iilk Fever in Cows. 321) 

of moderate power. It is supposed to be introduced through 
impure drinking water, diseased grasses, or by breathing an 
air tainted with decomposing animal matter. In addition to 
boiling the drinking water, and changing the food or pastur- 
age, the animal should take — 

No. 873. Bisulphite of soda, 

Sulphur, each 2 drachms. 

Give in milk or mixed with meal, once a day, for a week. 

MILK FEVER — PTJEEPERAL FEVER -PARTURIENT FEVER — PAR- 
TURIENT APOPLEXY— METRITIS— INFLAMMATION OF 
THE WOMB. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the lining membrane, 
substance of, and tissues adjacent to, the womb, occurring 
after calving, and often accompanied by sudden and marked 
aifections of the brain, congestion of the spinal cord and 
apoplexy ; and often followed l\y general blood poisoning 
and death. 

Causes. — These may be injury to the M^omb in calving, re- 
tained afterbirth, exposure to colds and chills; or it may be 
tit times of an epidemic character. A cow who has had it 
once is pretty certain to have it with her next calf. 

There has been considerable discussion as to whether the 
disease called "parturient apoplexy" and "milk fever" is 
identical with that known as inflammation of the womb or 
metritis. Several very eminent authorities do not think so ; 
and they explain the congested and inflamed state of tlio 
womb, which is found on examination after death by refer- 
ence to the nearness of the time of its outbreak to calving. 
*But after a careful study of the evidence and the records of 
cases and post-mortems, the present writer inclines strongly 
to the opinion that the difference is only in respect to the 
violence of the disease ; a difference very noticeable also in 
the human .species in the different forms of puerperal metritis. 



330 Disease.^ of Cattle. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms first appear -within from twen- 
ty-four hours to three days after calving. One of the earliest 
warnings is the suspension of the secretion of milk. This 
is the more observable as the disease is peculiarly liable to 
attack " deep milkers/' large uddered and well nourished 
cows. 

Frequently the other symptoms appear with promptness 
and severity, and run rapidly to a fatal termination. The 
cow hangs her head, ceases to feed, loses her cud, and moves 
restlessly her hind feet. By and by the breathing becomes 
hard and rapid, the eyes are bloodshot and wild, the eyelids 
twitch, and tears run over the face. She falls on her litter 
in a stupor, or sways her head violently from side to side. 
The head, horns, and forehead are intensely hot to the 
touch. 

The power of sight and of swallowing is lost early in the 
disease, and there is often partial or complete paralysis of the 
liind quarters. The pulse, at first full, becomes small, quick 
and scarcely perceptible. There may be delirium and death 
in convulsions ; or the animal may quietly gas|) to death in 
a state of stupor. 

The bowels may be somewhat relaxed in the early stages, 
but as a rule constipation is a marked sigi.. It is due to 
paralysis of the bowels. The urine is generally pale in 
color, scanty in quantity, and may be retained in the bladder, 
from paralysis of that organ. 

If in the course of thirty or forty hours the animal comes 
to herself and tries to rise, if the bowels begin to act and the 
secretion of milk to return, there is a fair probability that 
the case will recover; although sometimes these favorable 
symptoms are deceptive, indicating only a remission of the 
disease, which returns with renewed violence. For this 
reason it is well not to be too confident in one's predictions 
about results. 



Milk Fever in Cows. 331 

Treatment. — If the symptoms do not indicate very decided 
exhaustion, and the case is seen early, from three to five 
quarts of blood should be taken from a free opening in the 
jugular vein. If as the blood flows, the pulse is felt to grow 
fuller and stronger, and there are signs of relief to the head, 
it is certain that the loss of the blood is a benefit. 

Where, however, the pulse is weak aud thready, and the 
exhaustion is already great, bleeding is not called for. On 
the contrary, a stimulant is what is required. This may be 
whisky, or — 



No. 374. Carbonate of ammonia, 


1 oz. 


AVater, 


1 pint. 


Mix for a drench. 





As there is so often paralysis of the muscles of the gullet, 
so that the animal cannot swallow, it is by no means easy to 
give a drench. Sometimes a ball does better, as it can be 
well oiled and pushed far back in the gullet, and will dis- 
solve and descend by its own weight. 

In all cases, if an active purge can be administered, it 
will be an advantage, as — 

No. 375. Sulphate of magnesia, J to 1 lb. 

Croton oil, 20 to 30 drops, 

(jrive in a quart of water. 

If the difficulty of giving by the mouth is very great, in- 
jections of soap and warm water should be repeatedly thrown 
into the rectum. 

The swelling of the boAvels, which is apt to be very pain- 
ful, can be lessened by carbonate of ammonia given as a 
ball ; or that failing, the rumen should be jsunctured by a 
trocar, and the gas allowed to escape. 

When the horns and head are hot, or when the stupor is 
marked, pouring cold water on the head from a height of 
five or six feet, and continuing several minutes (ten or fif- 



332 Dheases of Cattle. 

teen) will often prove a very efficient means of restoring 
consciousness. 

The paralysis is liable to remain after the other symptoms 
have disappeared, and indeed the co\v may fancy she cannot 
rise when she is perfectly able to do so. The application of 
the firing: iron to the loins will be sure to start her in mo- 
tion, if she is able, and to benefit her by counter irritation if 
she is not. 

In cases of inflammation of the womb and surroundings, 

where the attack comes on three ^or four days after calving, 

the following is an excellent laxative, alterative and sedative 

combined : — 

Ko. 376. Calomel, 2 drachm. 

Laudanum, 2 oz. 

Castor oil, 1 pound. 

Mix with hot water and molasses, and give four doses, at intervals of 
two or three hours. 

In the apoplectic form of the disease, when there is in- 
tense nervous excitement and violent cramp of the muscles 
of the hind quarters, chloral has been found to be of great 
benefit : — 

No. 377. Hydrate of chloral, 

Powdered sugar, each 2 oz. 

Mix in a quart of warm water, and repeat in two hours unless quiet 
is produced. 

Another useful formula in this phase of the disease, when 

the period of excitement is followed by exhaustion and 

stupor, is given by Mr. Finlay Dun : — 

No. 387. Spirits of turpentine, 1 to 2 oz. 

Carbonate of ammonia, ^ oz. 

Give in a quart of cold gruel. 



Garget in Cows. 333 

GARGET-MAMMITIS— CAKED BAG. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the udder or mammary 
gland in the cow. 

Causes. — Cows in a plethoric condition at the time of calv- 
ing, or if at that or other time they be turned into a rich 
pasturage, are liable to swelling and inflammation of the ud- 
der. Allowing them to go unmilked for long periods also 
])roduces it. Sometimes this occurs through inattention ; 
sometimes for the barbarous purpose of making them appear 
remarkably well uddered when put on sale. 

Symptoms. — The inflammation seldom attacks the whole 
of the udder, but is confined to one or two quarters, and is 
indicated by swelling, heat, paiu and redness of the part in- 
flamed, and by the alteration in the milk, which is curdled, 
whey-like, and mixed vrith blood. There is generally con- 
siderable constitutional disturbance, such as restlessness, im- 
paired appetite, shiverings, succeeded by heat of skin and 
disordered bowels, either constipated or unnaturally loose. 

The inflamed parts generally pass into suppuration, which 
results in breaking down their structure, wasting and trans- 
formation into a hard, cartilaginous substance. The capacity 
for giving milk is thus imj^aired, and tlie market value of the 
cow diminished. 

Treatment. — The general treatment is to give a moderate 
jiurge, say half a pound of salts, and follow this up with 
two ounces of saltpetre in the water, morning and night. 
No great amount of water, however, should be given, and 
dry food, and such as does not produce milk, should be the 
only kind allowed. This is essential to success, as it gives 
rest to the inflamed structure. 

The milk must be frequently drawn with the hand or with 
the syphon. The whole o fthe udder should be rubbed with : 



334 Diseases of Caffle. 

No. 379. Powdered camphor, I oz. 

Extract of belladonna, 

Lard, each, 2 oz. 

Mix well together and apply with gentle friction. 

Should the swelling be great, and the weight of the udder 
painful, it must be supported by a broad bandage, made with 
holes for the teats to pass through, and then securely fastened 
over the back of the animal. When the case requires it, a 
large mush and hop poultice can be placed within the band- 
age, over the udder. 

If the inflammation cannot be reduced, but jiasses on to 
suppuration, and abscesses form, they must be freely opened, 
the pus allowed to escape, and the cavities syringed with, 
carbolic acid water, after which they can adv.aiitageous]y be 
dressed with stimulant an<l antiseptic ointments, aa — 



No. 3S0. 


Sulphate of copper, powdered, 
Lard, 


1 drachm. 
1 oz. 


Or: 






No. 381. 


Chloride of lime, 
Lard, 


1 to 2 drachms. 
1 oz. 



For the hard swellings which remain when suppuration 

does not occur, repeated gentle frictions with the following 

are useful : — 

No. 382. Iodide of sulphur, 1 draclim. 

Glycerine, 6 oz. 

Or with the following, which has recently been very highly 

praised as efficient in dispersing all sorts of hardened and 

painful swellings in glands and joints : — 

No. 383. Oleate of mercury, 1 oz. 

Sulpiuite of morphia, 8 grs. 

Mix well, and rub on with the finger, or apply with a brush, every 
one or two days. 

This is not liable to cause salivation if used M'ith ordinary 
care. 

The common poke [Phytolacca) has a local reputation in 



Garget in Cows. 335 

varioas parts of tlie United States, as efficient in acute 
garget. Indeed, it is sometimes called the '^garget weed." 
It is given by mixing a handful of the dried leaves with the 
food, and rubbing the udder with an ointment prepared by 
simmering a few ounces of the bruised root with a pound of 
lard, and straining. 

For hard and slow indurations or "knots," that remain 
after the affection, Prof. Ganigee uses — 

No. 384. Iodide of mercury, .} drachm. 

Glycerine, 

Alcohol, of each, 4 oz. 

Kub gently and thoroughly with this, every two days. 

This, or any other form of iodine ointment will answer ; 
but after severe attacks the udder is often permanently in- 
jured, and the cow's capacity for giving milk incurably di- 
minished. 

After slight attacks of garget the teats are often obstructed 
and narrowed. They may be enlarged by inserting a well 
oi'ed quill with a circular leather collar about an inch in di- 
ameter. This can be kept in place readily by a piece of 
sticking plaster, and removed when milking ; if worn for a 
week or two it will relieve the contraction. 

In all cases it is of the greatest consequence to keep the 
udder empty by rej)eated milkings. As the teats are tender 
-and swollen this must be done gently. The calf will often 
succeed better than the attendant. In England a "teat 
syphon" is manufactured for drawing the milk by exhaustion 
of air in a receiver. If tlie milk is "caked" in the udder, 
injections of a saturated solution of bicarbonate of potash in 
warm water, with a small syringe with a long nozzle, is 
recommended bv Eng-lish authorities. 



336 Diseases of (kittle. 

CHAPTER IV. 

DISEASES OF CALVES. 

First Attentioyis. 

Diarrhea or Scouring. 

EpidemiG Colic — The Shoot e or Shewte of Blood. 

Croup. 

The Husk or Hoose — Parasitic Dronchitis. 

FIRST ATTENTIONS. 

Immediately after she has dropped lier calf, the cow should 
occupy herself in licking and cleaning it. If she neglects 
this maternal duty, the calf should be sprinkled with a little 
salt, which will induce her to perform it. 

The calf should remain with its mother for a few days at 
least, in order to derive the benefit of the first milk, which is 
laxative in quality and gives the little animal the purge 
which it needs in order to clear its bowels of the black and 
glutinous feces which have accumulated there. 

Occasionally the mother in severing the naval string with 
her teeth leaves it so that it bleeds. It should then be tied 
with a strong thread ; and if the navel looks inflamed, it is 
well to smear it with petroleum ointment, or oxide of zinc 
ointment, or other soothing application. If there is a tumor 
which threatens to break, it should be lanced, and dressed as 
heretofore directed for abscesses, (page 227). 

DIAERHEA OR SCOURING. 

This common affection in calves is, through neglect and 
mismanagement, a cause of heavy mortality among them. 
'It ni-iscs, as a rule, either from too rich or too poor food, and 
the dam should be looked to in this respect, as well as the 



Diarrhea in Calves. 337 

calf. Heating the cow by driving or worrying her is another 
common cause of deterioration of her milk, and renders it 
injurious to the delicate bowels of the young calf. 

It is often best to begin the treatment with two or three 
ounces of castor oil, in which a tcaspoonful of powdered gin- 
ger is stirred, as the gentle action of this laxative will clear 
the bowels of irritating substances. When this is done, the 
followino; will be found an admirable combination : — 

No. 385. Lime water, 

Infusion of gentian, of each 2 oz. 
Give this amount two or three times daily, to a feeble calf. 

The infusion of gentian is made by boiling one ounce of 
bruised gentian root in a quart of water for ten minutes, 
cooling and straining. 

Or the following will answer without the oil : — 

No. 386. Calcined magnesia, 4 drachms. 

Powdered opium, 20 grains. 

Powdered rhubarb, 2 drachms. 

Give in milk or linseed gruel. 

Either of these is better than the giving of astringents, as 
some negligent practitioners do. These should be reserved 
for cases where the above remedies, together with attention 
to the mother and a change of diet, does not succeed. It will 
then be proper to give the following : — • 

No. 387. Prepared chalk, 2 oz. 

Powdered catechu, 1 oz. 

Powdered opium, 2 draclims. 

Powdered ginger, 2 oz. 

Mix in a pint of sweet flag tea or peppermint water, and give a tea- 
cupful once or twice a day. 

Strong teas of oak bark or willow bark, M-ith the addition 
of ginger, or sweet flag (calamus), are popular and useful re- 
medies in such cases. 



22 



338 Diseases of Cattle. 

EPIDEMIC COLIC— THE SHOOTE. 

«i 

This is a form of colic very fatal among calves in some 
localities, usually attacking them a few days after birth. It 
is believed at times to be epidemic, as it is found to attack 
rapidly a number of calves in a herd. Its cause has not 
been ascertained. 

Symptoms. — The calf refuses its food, is listless and weak. 
Soon it is attacked by severe gripings, of an intermittent 
character. These are followed after a time by a violent dis- 
charge from the bowels. These attacks of colic and excessive 
watery evacuations continue to recur until the animal dies of 
exhaustion ; or else, after the first few discharges, the pain 
-abates and the symptoms disappear. 

Treatment. — The usual treatment with breeders is to ad- 
minister, as early in the disease as practicable, a mixture of 
eggs, Avhcat flour and linseed oil ; or of milk mulled with 
eggs and whiskey. 

Should this fail, a dose of a drachm of essence of ginger, 
with two drachms of laudanum, in gruel, should be repeated 
until the colicky symptoms are overcome by the narcotic. 

CEOUP. 

Definition. — An inflammation of the upper throat and 
windpipe, characterized by a whitish deposit or exudation 
upon it, called a false membrane. 

Causes. — -The occurrence of croup in calves is not frequent, 
and is conliued to low lying districts on the banks of rivers, 
where they are exposed to damp chills and heavy dews. It 
is a disease of early life, appearing in calves from a few weeks 
to three months old, and rarely occurs except in the fall of 
the year. 



The Croup in Calves. 339 

Symptoms. — There are a hoarse cough, rUscharge of spittle 
from the mouth, aud ruuning from the nose. The animal 
does not thrive, swallows with an effort, and in drawing in 
its breath a whistling or crowing noise is heard. 

As the disease progresses the breathing becomes more 
labored, the cough is more violent and in paroxysms, and 
shreds of false membrane are coughed up. 

Treatment. — A* moderate purge at the outset will be found 
of use, and small doses of saltpetre in the drinking water, to 
allay the feverish symptoms. To relieve the throat of the 
false membrane, it will be of benefit for the calf to in- 
hale the vapor from slacking lime (taking care that it is not 
too concentrated). 

THE HUSK OR HOOSE— PAEASITIC BRONCHITIS. 

DefinltioiL — A disease caused by the irritation in the wind- 
pipe, bronchial tubes and lungs, of a parasitic worm called the 
Strongylus. The disease is very fatal to sheep in many parts 
of this country, and will also be considered under their dis- 
eases. 

Cause. — These worms generally attack calves under one 
year old, aud especially such as are pastured in low-lying 
lands, near rivers, and subject to flood. They are mostly 
seen in the months of August and September. Sometimes 
they are very numerous, and are found after death congre- 
gated together in a ball in the windpipe, thus choking the 
animal to death. 

Symptoms. — The complaint is marked by a hoarse, bron- 
chial cough, called the " husk " or " hoose," loss of flesh, dif- 
ficulty of breathing, and suffocation to a greater or less de- 
gree. Sometimes in the mucus coughed up the parasite may 
be detected. It is white in color, the body an inch or two 
long, and slender as a thread. Whenever in the autumn 



340 Diseases of Cattle, 

months calves are noticed to cough and gasp, they should be 
carefully examined for the signs of this worm. 

Treatment. — Affected calves should be separated from the 
rest of the flock, so that none of the eggs of the worm con- 
vey the disease to the remainder. They should be placed in 
, a dry stable, protected from dampness, and caused to inhale 
two or three times a day the fumes of burning sulphur. If 
this is done for fifteen or twenty minutes *at a time, and con- 
tinued for two or three days, the worms will generally be 
destroyed. 

The vapor of chloride of lime is also said to be destruct- 
ive to them. 

Or, instead of inhalations, a small dose of turpentine, 
about half an ounce, may be given in gruel daily, for a few 
days. Or a teaspoonful mixed with double the quantity of 
sweet oil may be poured into the nostrils. This is, however, 
liable to choke the patient if carelessly done. Two or three 
doses, at intervals of two or three days, ^\i\\ eflFect a cure. Or 
the turpentine may be given in the following tonic combina- 
tion : — 

No. 388. Oil of turpentine, J oz. 

Carbonate of iron, 2 drachms. 

Gum mixture, 4 oz. 
A tablespoonful to be given night and morning. 

Or— 

No. 389. Linseed oil, 4 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, 1 oz. 

Oil of carraway seed, 20 drops. 

Give half this dose morning and night, to a calf six months old, and 
repeat it in ten days. 

Half a pint of lime water every morning will destroy the 
worms also ; but a teaspoonful or two of turpentine with it 
adds to its efficiency. 



General I2emarJ:-s. 341 

CHAPTER V. 

DISEASRS OF SLIEEP. 

General Hemarlcs on Diseases of Sheep ^ and their Treatment. 

Braxy — Striking of the Blood — Charbon in Sheep. 

Sheep Smallpox — Variola Ovina. 

Louping III — Thorter 111 — The Gnaw Disease. 

Mcdignant EpAzootie Ccdarrh — The Sheep Distemper. 

Colic — Blown — Blast — Wind Dropsy. 

Bed Wcder — Ha^maturia. 

Hoof Bot—Foot Bot. 

Fold in the Foot. 

Stone in the Bladder. 

Lambing in the Ewe; Heaving Bains; Milh Fever ; Garget, 

Bheumatism of Lambs. 

Constipation in Lambs. 

Diarrhea in Lambs. 

Turnsich — Sturdy — Gid — Hydedid of the Brain, 

Sheep Bots — Grubs in the Head — Heeid Maggots. 

Lung Worms — The Hoose in Lambs — White Ski7i — Paper 

Skin— Pelt Bot— The Pale Disease. 
The Bot— The Liver Fluke, 
hdestincd Worms. 
The Scab — The Mange or Itch in Sheep. 

GENEEAL KEMAEKS ON DISEASES OF SHEEP, AND THEIR TREAT- 
MENT. 

The two most prominent classes of the diseases of sheep 
are: 1. Those arising from exhaustion, debility, and a 
low state of the system ; and 2d, Those arising from the 
presence of j>arasitic animals. 

It has long been noticed that even in England and Scot- 
land, inflammatory affections are rare in these animals, their 



342 Disease^' nf Sheep. 

weak structure not resisting a violent attack but sinking be- 
neath it. Hence their maladies are wliat physicians call of 
"a lovv' tyi)e/' and hence, also, bleeding, purgatives and de- 
pressing medicines, as aconite and tartar emetic, arc very 
rarely indeed required in their medication. According to 
eminent sheep breeders in this country, these characteristics 
are yet more marked in our breeds. "The American sheep," 
says Col. Randall, " which has been kept in the common 
way, sinks from the outset or after a mere transient flash of 
inflammatory action; and in any stage of its maladies active 
depletion is likely to lead to fatal prostration." 

Parasites arc very common both on and in the sheep. Its 
thick wool and comparatively thin skin otfer a most favor- 
able lodging place and feeding ground for the class of 
vermin which dwell on the surface of the body. While of 
its internal organs, not only the stomach and bowels, but the 
liver, brain and nostrils are the chosen habitat of various 
lower forms of animal life. 

The American sheep has up to the present been wholly or 
almost wholly exempt from a number of epidemic diseases and 
local affections which have decimated the English and conti- 
nental flocks over and over again. The sheep-pox, so far as we 
are aware, has never appeared anywhere in the United States; 
malignant braxy or charbon, while of occasional occurence, 
has rarely developed into an epidemic, and then but locally ; 
\\\\ water seems unknown ; hydatid in the brain, or turnsick, 
although reported from Xew York and other States, is a curi- 
osity rather than a scourge ; and the true rot, caused by the 
liver fluke, has never assumed the proportions of a destruc- 
tive malady, although the parasite that causes it is known in 
this country, especially on the Pacific coast. 

Indeed, the mortality of sheep is remarkably Iom' in most 
sections of the States which are occupied with wool gro\A'- 
ing. It has been estimated as low as two per cent, per 



The Braxy. 343 

annum of the adult animal ; but this is undoubtedly a much 
too favorable statement; eight or ten per cent., at lea.'st, of the 
total number of lambs born perish by disease. 

Nevertheless, in the active interchange of stock between 
different parts of this country, and between this country and 
Europe, we are liable any season to have brought to us these 
much feared diseases in a malignant form ; therefore we have 
taken brief descriptions of them from the most eminent 
foreign writers, with the treatment they recommend. 

BRAXY— STRIKING OF BLOOD— CHARBON IN SHEEP. 

Definition. — A disease of the blood, identical with charbon, 
or malignant anthrax, in cattle (yce page 276) ; occasionally 
epidemic, at other times confined to definite localities and 
herds. It is also known by the names of "St. Anthony's 
fire," " carbuncular erysipelas," " the blood disease," etc. 

Causes. — A very careful study of the causes of braxy in 
Scotland and the sheep growing districts has led to connect 
its appearance with over-feeding on too rich or unlicallhy 
food, and exposure to sudden changes of weather. 

Thus it is most common at those seasons when the pasture 
is most rank, and among herds on loose, damp bottom lands, 
occasionally overflowed, and sending up a succulent, sappy 
growth of grass ; also where the vegetation is subject to mil- 
dew or blight ; where overfeeding on grain and clover hay, 
with deficient exercise, has been carried on for some time ; 
where with full feeding the cotes and stables have been kept 
quite warm ; and finally, on exposed sheep walks, whore the 
animal is exjiosed with little protection to sudden changes 
of temperature. The last mentioned is so well known that 
in bleak walks in the Scotch Highlands, after an unexpected 
snow blast in the autumn, the shej^hcrd looks to have some 
of his flock struck by the braxy, as a quite regular event. 



344 Diseases of Sheep. 

In the study of its prevention, therefore, owners should 
choose pasturages with good drainage, and of moderate 
growth, and avoid, in their desire to fatten and strengthen, a 
stimulating diet, which may result in developing germs of 
poison in the blood. 

Symptoms. — The sheep is affected by charbonous fever in 
two forms, which by the uneducated are supposed to be dis- 
tinct diseases ; in fact, they have been so spoken of in quite 
recent works on diseases of these animals. The first and 
most rapidly fatal form is 

Splenio Apoplexy. — The attack is very sudden, the animal 
ceasing to eat; the body suddenly shivering, as if struck with 
a chill ; there is staggering or reeling, and an effort to stand 
by putting the feet well asunder, which may fail, and the 
body falls. The breath is rapid, the eyes are red, the teeth 
grate together, and loss of sensibility is common. The lin- 
ing membrane of the mouth is injected with blood of a dull 
red color ; the dung is passed without effort, and the urine is 
colored with blood. A bloody froth issues from the mouth 
and nose ; the animal is seized with convulsions, in which he 
throws his leos about and bonds his head and neck back- 
ward ; there is a rattling in his throat, and he expires. 

Such a rapid, apoplectic form of the disease is more com- 
mon in young sheep and those very richly fed. The other 
and slower variety is that seen in older animals, and those of 
a less plethoric condition. This is more properly a 

Charbonous Fever. — The first symptom in this form is 
that the animal walks with a shorter stej) than usual, caused 
by pain in the bowels; soon he begins to lie down and rise up 
frequently, or stands apart with head hanging and back 
arched. The eyes are dull, or bloodshot, the belly swollen, 
and the cars droop. ( )fteu upon several places on the skin, 
especially of those parts which are but lightly covered with 



Treatment of Braxy. 345 

wooljangrj'-looking red or purple spots appear, like blotches, 
not disappearing on pressure, and rapidly increasing in size 
and number. These swell, and upon their surface blisters, 
filled with a watery or bloody fluid, appear. 

A penetrating and offensive odor exhales from the animal, 
bloody serum appears at his mouth, nose, eyes and anus; and 
ere long he is seized wdth convulsions, or passes into a state 
of stupor and perishes. It is seldom that the disease lasts 
three days, often but ten or twelve hours. 

After death the blood remains quite fluid, the body de- 
composes rapidly, and the odor is distinct from that of or- 
dinary decomposition. The flesh aud inner surface of the 
skin is bluish red, and stained with 2)atches of dark, bloody 
accumulations. 

The disease, both before and after death, is so strongly 
marked that it is easy to recognize it, especially as it is the 
rule that several, or a large percentage of a herd, are attacked 
with it when it appears at all. 

Treatment. — This is essentially the same as that recom- 
mended in the charbon of cattle (page 278). The chlorate 
of potash is one of the most reliable of antidotes to the poi- 
son, w^hen it can be given with promptness. 

Some believe that a brisk purge given at the outset will 
relieve the condition of the blood, as — 

No. 390. Sulphate of magnesia, 2 oz. 

Warm water, 1 pt. 

For a drench. 

Or, 

No. 391. Castor oil, 3 oz. 

Calomel, 12 grains. 

Molasses, 3 oz. 
Mix for a dose. 

As a preventive, a seton, no doubt, is advantageous in 
plethoric sheep, as a derivative. Mr. H. Clok recommends 



o46 Diseases of tS/tcep. 

tlie following as a very efficient "lick," to prevent the disease 
Irotu spreading through a herd : — 

No. 392. Nitrate of potash, 

Sulphate of magnesia, 

Ground calamus, 

Laurel leaves. 

Juniper berries, of each, 2 lbs. 

Golden sulphuret of antimony, 1 lb. 

Mix well with the food, clover preferred, and give one-quarter night 
and morning, for two days. 

This amount is enough for one hundred sheep. The same 
author urges that great care be observed in regard to feeding, 
so that the change from stable-feeding to pasture-feeding is 
only to be allowed by degrees. In the morning the sheep 
must not be driven to pasture until the dew and moisture 
have entirely disappeared from the meadow, which depends 
upon the temperature and weather. At noon a shady and 
cool resting-place must be provided. 

Another preservative) as well as preventive, consists in 
the application of cold shower-baths, which may be applied 
to the herd by means of a squirting engine, the nozzle of 
which is provided with a sieve, or by means of a garden- 
spout ; the cold water to be applied at different times of the 
day, and until the animals are perfectly cooled. The herd 
may also be driven into cold or refreshing streams ; in case 
of rain the herd must be allowed to remain exposed to it 
at their pleasure. 

There appears to be a hereditary disposition to this dis- 
ease ; it may therefore be presumed that in case of an ex- 
traordinarily frequent occurrence among certain herds, the 
sale of such sheep and the purchase of other stock will prove 
the most profitable. 



Smallpox in Sheep. 347 

SHEEP SMALLPOX— VARIOLA OVINA. 

DGfinition. — A contagions eruptive fever depending upon 
a specific poison, corresponding in character to that which 
produces smallpox in the human race. 

Causes. — The ravages which smallpox in the sheep has 
caused fullj equal those which the analogous disease inflicted 
on the human race in the last century. It does not n])- 
pear to be mutually contagious, however. The sheep pox, 
though common on the continent of Europe for one hundred 
and fifty years previous to 1847, did not reach England 
until that year, and has, Ave believe, not yet made its appear- 
ance in this country, though in the importation of sheep, 
hides and wool, we are never secure from its introduction. 

The mortality in England has occasionally reached one- 
third of the flock in a single outbreak ; and in Austria and 
Hungary the losses are said to foot up from four to five 
hundred thousand sheep in some years. It is, therefore, a 
scourge much to be dreaded. 

Symptoms. — Sheep pox shows itself in two forms, one 
malignant, the other mild. 

The malignant form is not accompanied with an eruption 
of pustules on the skin. There are some scarlet or purple 
points, but they do not maturate or form pus. The animal 
ceases to eat, moves unwillingly, his head is swollen, the eyes 
closed and often inflame and ooze out ; the wool falls ofl', 
the skin cracks in a zig-zag manner, and the nostrils become 
filled with a fetid discharge. The animal suffers extremely 
from thirst, but cannot drink, or with difficulty, on account 
of the inflammation of the lips. Death generally occurs in 
from two to three weeks from the outset of the disease. 

In the milder form the eruption first shows itself in a 
diff'used redness, or in a number of minute red spots like flea 
bites, on that portion of the skin least covered with wool. 



348 Diseases of Sheep. 

These spots increase in size and run together, becoming ele- 
vated in the centre, where in a few days a small blister or 
vesicle appears, containing a liquid at first like a drop of 
water, later turbid and like pus. This is the smallpox 
vesicle, which in the sheeji, however, remains flat on the 
surface, and does not become hollowed or " umbilicated," as 
it does in the cow and in man. In the fourth week of the 
disease these vesicles dry up, and form scales. When these 
fall off a bare spot is left which is never after filled with 
wool or hair. 

With these local symptoms there are others of constitu- 
tional disturbance. The animal wanders away from the 
flock, loses appetite, licks the earth, is thirsty and feeble. 
The eyes are bloodshot, the breathing labored and the gen- 
eral condition one of fever of more or less severity according 
to the violence of the attack. 

Treatment. — The treatment of the disease has been very 
unsuccessful, and consequently the more attention has been 
given to its prevention. This has been attempted in two 
directions by isolation, and by orination, as the operation of 
vaccination is called when applied to sheep. 

Professor Gamgee relics entirely on isolation. He advises 
that the diseased be separated to a long distance from the 
healthy animals during the earliest stages of the malady; 
and that disinfectants be freely and liberally used, both on 
the sick and the well. He has no confidence in inoculation 
or ovination, believing that it rather disseminates than 
checks the malady. 

On the other hand, the French and German veterinarians 
are nearly unanimous in favor of ovination ; and if we can 
rely on the statistics they furnish, we cannot doubt but that 
it has succeeded most satisfactorily in staying the progress 
of the disease— quite as much so as i;i the human race. In 
many countries of Euro2)e, especially in Austria, gromng 



Smallpox in Sheep. 349 

lambs are regularly vaccinated in the spring, when from 
three to four months old, the general result being a very 
considerable diminution of deaths from the disease. 

The sheep lymph used for inoculation is obtained from 
separate (discrete) vesicles, on the sixth or seventh day of tlie 
eruption. It should be perfectly clear and fluid, like water. 
The animal from which it is taken should be otherwise 
healthy, free from rot and scab, and if possible one who 
has been vaccinated previously, or at all events has the dis- 
ease in a mild form. The lymj^h is to be preserved in the 
same manner as that used for vaccination in man. 

The most suitable place for inserting the lymph in tlie 
sheep is on the inner side of the ear, this spot being botli 
(convenient to the operator to reach and less liable than most 
to be injured by the scratching of the animal when the pus- 
tule begins to itch. There is no special manner of applying 
the lymph ; the general rules adopted for this simple opera- 
tion in children, answer as well for the sheep. 

It is needless to undertake vaccinating a flock unless the 
pox is actually in the neighborhood ; and then it should be 
done promptly, and repeated until every sheep has had the 
lymph "take" on him fairly. Even when the disease has 
already attacked an animal, vaccination should be performed, 
as it often renders the course of the malady much milder. 

LOTJPING ILL— THE GNAW DISEASE— THORTER ILL. 

Definition. — The disease called by these uncouth names is 
an affection of the spinal cord, common in lambs and young 
sheep, but rare after the third year. It is accompanied by 
organic changes in the cord, either of hardening or softening, 
or with watery secretion. It corresponds closely to that dis- 
ease in man known as "myelitis, with sclerosis or ramollise- 
ment of the cord," both in symptoms and appearance of the 
cord after death. 



350 Diseases of Sluejj. 

Causes, — The disease is undoubtedly hereditary, and it is 
attributed to a naturally defective organization in some 
herds. Where it prevails, it is prudent, therefore, to change 
the breed. 

Symptoms. — One of the first symptoms is a slight M'eak- 
ness in the hind quarters, indicated by the animal taking 
broader and shorter steps, "louping," or loping in its run. 
It is, moreover, unable to jumji, and if it attempts to do so 
will fall on its fore feet, or quite on the ground. If it un- 
dertakes to run, it will fall frequently and rise with diffi- 
culty, staggering and trembling. 

Many such patients, apparently sensible of some change in 
the sensation of the hind quarters, will gnaw or bite at their 
thighs, pulling the wool out, and sometimes biting to the 
blood and making a scab. This habit also gives one of the 
names to the disease by which it is known in some i)arts of 
the United States. 

As the disease advances the animal grows stujiid, the ears 
loll loosely down, and the palsy, which was at first confined 
to the hind quarters, extends and becomes more decided. The 
appetite, which at fiist Avas not affected, is diminished, flesh 
is lost, and general debility and emaciation wear out the pa- 
tient. 

The duration of the disease is from two to three months ; 
as a rule it terminates in death ; but cases are not rare where 
the symptoms disappear after a few weeks, and the animal 
resumes its natural vigor. 

Treatment. — This should be directed to active stimula- 
tion of the spine and the nervous system. 

The wool should be clipped close along the backbone, over 
the loins, and the part rubbed with a stimulating ointment 
or liniment, such as Nos. 235, 239. A moderate degree 



The Sheep Distemper. 351 

of irritation should be maintained constantly. Internally 
the animal should have — 

No. 393. Powdered nux vomica, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 pt. 

Rub up together, and give a spoonful daily. 

Exposure should be avoided, and the animal should not be 
urged to exercise, but allowed to rest. 

MALIGNANT EPIZOOTIC CATARRH— THE SHEEP DISTEMPER. 

Definition. — An epidemic affection, occurring chiefly in the 
late winter and early spring, accompanied by severe conges- 
tion and inflammation of the lining membrane of the nasal 
cavities, and occasionally of its prolongation into the stomach 
and bowels, producing symptoms of catarrh, or, in the second 
case, of catarrh and gastro-enteritis. 

Causes. — As in most of the epizootic diseases, the cause is 
unknown. It generally prevails at the close of wet, open 
winters, with rapid changes of temperature, and in flocks 
which have been confined in ill-ventilated stables. But it is 
also not vuicommon where no such condition prevails. 

The periodical recurrences of this disease have proved 
very fatal to American sheep, and even yet, according to 
Col. Randall, it "continues to destroy more American sheep 
than all other maladies combined." Sometimes forty or fifty 
per cent, of the flock succumb to it. 

Symptoms. — The disease commences with depression, and 
a slight watery discharge from the nostrils and from the eyes, 
which are partly closed and paler than natural. The ani- 
mal is dull and drooping, its movements languid, and more 
or less loss of appetite is manifest. The pulse is not altered 
in frequency, or but slightly so, but is weaker than usual. 
There is no cough, and the breathing is not aflectcd, except 
-where the disease is associated with bronchitis. 



352 Diseases of Sheep. 

The symptoms mentioned slowly increase in severity until, 
in about a week, there are evident emaciation and great pros- 
tration. The nasal discharge is thick and glutinous, some- 
times tinged with blood ; the eyes are half closed, and the 
lids matted by a yellow secretion. The appetite has almost 
gone, and the pulse scarcely perceptible. The respiration is 
labored and difficult. In well-fed sheep the bowels continue 
natural, as a rule ; but in those on insufficient or poor diet 
the bowels may become inflamed and swollen, and dysenteric 
symptoms arise. The excrement is voided with pain, and it 
is mixed with blood. The attack usually commences with 
constipation. The average length of the disease is ten to 
fifteen days. 

After death, the principal and characteristic lesion is a 
highly inflammatory, thickened and congested appearance of 
the lining membrane of the nostrils and nasal cavities 
throughout, sometimes passing into ulceration. This condi- 
tion may extend, with more or less intensity, to the mucous 
membrane of the upper throat and gullet ; and more rarely 
down the latter, and to the bowels. 

Treatment. — It must be acknowledged that no plan of 
treatment has been tried with very satisfactory results. Cer- 
tain rules are, however, of considerable value. No bleeding, 
purging or depressants must be used. Concentrated and 
nourishing food and stimulants are demanded from the out- 
set. A dry and equable temperature is important. 

In regard to medicines. Col. Randall believes that he has 

derived advantage from the use of corrosive sublimate, in 

small and repeated doses, providing that it is commenced 

early in the disease. He combines it as follows : — 

No. 394. Corrosive subliinate, 8 grains. 

Rhubarb, 1 oz. 

Ginger, 

Gentian, of each 2 oz. 

Simmer the last three articles in a quart of water, for fifteen minutes, 
strain, and add the sublimate. The dose is two tablespoonfuls, twice 
a day. 



CoUe in Sheep. 353 

COIIC— BLOWN— BLAST— WIND DROPSY. 

Definition. — By these names is known the swelling of the 
thii'd stomach in sheej), hy food and air, or gases. It is the 
disease which in cattle is called hoven (page 291). 

Causes. — The most frequent cause is feeding on green 
clover, or other strong grass, y'et with rain or dew. Musty 
and ergoted food, such as on stubble fields and blighted corn, 
are other provocatives of the disease ; and occasionally it 
arises from a constitutional difficulty in digestion. 

S3^ptoms. — The disease is readily recognized by a swell- 
ing of the belly on tlie left side, which appears while the 
animal is feeding, or shortly afterward. The breathing be- 
comes oj^pressed, the bowels are constipated, tiie eye anxious 
and wild ; there is every symptom of intense pain. 

Some say that in sheep, so long as the swelling is on the 
left side only, there is no danger; but when the right side 
j^artakes of the distention also, it is a sign that the walls of 
the rumen are expanded to the utmost and arc in imminent 
danger of rupture. 

Treatment. — When the distention is great, no time must 
be lost in removing the wool from the most prominent part 
of the swelling, and plunging a trocar into the rumen, to 
allow the air to escape. AVhcn a trocar is not at hand, a 
sharp-pointed penknife should be used, the edges of the 
opening being kept apart by inserting a goose quill with a 
collar of leather, or some similar hollow tube. 

When the case is not so severe as this, stimulants and 
aromatics are the medicines demanded, as : — 

No. 395. Ground mustard. 1 drachm. 

Wliisky, 1 oz. 

Mix and give in a small quantity of ■water. Repeat as needed. 



23 



354 Diseases of Sheep, 

No. 396. Solution of potash, 2 drachms. 

Common salt, 

Sweet oil, each, 1 oz. 

Mix in a wineglass full of water. 

Mechanical mdlns are often employed successfully to aid 
these remedies, or independent of them. Tiie swollen 
stomach is pressed and kneaded with the hands, which urges 
the gas up the gullet. Or the sheep is plunged into cold 
water, which brings on relaxation of the gullet and the gas 
escapes. Or a rubber tube of half-inch calibre, furnished 
with a button of wool at the end, to prevent clogging, is 
thoroughly oiled, and introduced gently into the gullet and 
passed down to the stomach. This Avill often cause the 
escape of air in large quantity and, give immediate relief. 
Such a tube has various uses, and one should be about every 
large fold. 

EED WATER— HJEMATTJEIA. 

The name " red water " is sometimes applied to a form 
of dropsy, where the w^ater accumulated in the abdomen is 
of a reddish color ; but it should be confined to a disease, 
not infrequent in various localities, characterized by a red 
color of the urine due to the presence of red blood coloring 
matter in it. It is probably acute ne})hritis. 

CftUSGS. — These are exposure to cold and wet; lying do^vn 
on cold, marshy ground ; and in general, chilling from 
change of temperature. Well housed sheep rarely suffer 
from it. 

SymptomSi — The attack commences with diarrhea, of a 
dysenteric character, continued scouring, sometimes of 
bloody matter, and the passage of pink, red or dark urine. 
The animal is weak, and the belly swollen. If it is a ewe, 
the secretion of milk is suspended. The head is protruded 
or hanging, the breathing labored and panting. As the 



Red Water— Foot Rot. 355 

disease advances, palsy of the hind quarters, supervenes and 
the sheep rises up with difficulty, or not at all. 

Treatment. — The animal should at once ho brought in 
tlie house and well ])r()tectod from wet and cold. Its loins 
and belly should be mopped with hot mustard water and 
covered with a rubber cloth, to keep the heat in. Internally 
it should take — 



No. 397. Oil of turpentine, 
Linseed oil, 


i 07.. 

1^ oz. 


Mix for a dose. 





The diet should be nourishing and stimulating ; as, for 
instance, oat-meal gruel, made with cow's milk, and contain- 
ing a spoonful of powdered ginger or essence of ginger. 
With this treatment, recsovery is pretty sure to take place. 

HOOF EOT— FOOT ROT. 

This is one of the most common diseases of American 
sheep, and with which every sheep owner in all parts of our 
land is pretty certain to become familiar at some period of 
his experience. 

Causes. — As to its cause, there can be no doubt but that it 
is generally contagion — always contagion, many observant 
breeders say. Others assert that it can be developed spon- 
taneously by pasturing in rank, lush grass, on damp 
meadows, and in boggy fields. They perhaps confound it 
with foul in the foot, which is a comparatively trifling and 
temporary aflx'ction. 

Symptoms. — The descriptions of this disease as it appears 
in various prominent English works, notably those of Mr. 
Youatt, are misleading and inapplicable to the American 
form of it, especially in its earlier stages. We shall there- 
fore rather depend on the descriptions of Col. Randall and 



356 Diseases of Sheep. 

Mr. Clok, both of Avhom have observed it extensively in 
various parts of the United States. 

The first symptom is tlie disappearance of the naturally 
smooth, dry, pale condition of the skin at the top of the 
cleft, over the heels. It becomes somewhat red, warm and 
moist, and slightly rough or chafed. Next, tlie moisture in- 
creases to a discharge, and an ulcer is formed a\ hich extends 
down to the upper portion of the inner Mall of the hoof. 
These walls are then attacke<l, become disorganized, and the 
disease penetrates between the fleshy sole and the bottom of 
the hoof. The hoof is thickened at the heel, by an luinatural 
deposition of horn. The crack between it and the fleshy sole 
pours out an offensive and purulent matter. Soon all parts 
of the foot are penetrated by the burrowing ulceration, the 
horny sole is disorganized, and the fleshy sole becomes a 
black and swollen mass of corruption, shapeless, spongy, and 
often filled with maggots. 

The fore feet are usually first attacked ; lameness is early 
noticed and soon becomes complete ; general fever comes on 
late ; tlie appetite is lost, and the animal dies from exhaus- 
tion. 

The offensive odor of the true foot rot is characteristic, and 
once made familiar will serve as a certain guide in recogniz- 
ing the disease. The disease may present itself in a malig- 
nant and rapid form, or in a mild one. Its first attack on a 
flock is generally of the severer character. When it is. kept 
under the first year, its appearance the next summer will be 
mild ; and the third season still milder. 

Treatment. — AVhile it is evident from the above descrip- 
tion that foot rot is a dangerous, disgusting and painful 
disease, we have the satisfaction of adding that with pi'oper 
treatment and sufficient care, it is always curable. In fact, 
no disease of the slieep yields more certainly to remedies 
properly used. And if, as often happens, the farmer finds 



Treatment of Foot Rot. 357 

Ills sheep still limping and hobbling after he has, as he 
thinks, given them proper attention, it is because he has been 
ip-norant of what the case demands. 

The most important, the absolutely indispensable part of 
the treatment is, the preparation of the hoof, by cutting awai/ 
every particle of the diseased structure. No remedy will 
succeed if this is neglected ; almost any one of the dozens 
recommended will be satisfactory if this is -well done. 

The sheep should first have their feet cleaned, by grazing 
a day or two in a short, dry pasture ; or by being driven 
through a gravelly brook, when this is practicable. As for 
the o])eration itself, Mr. Clok gives the following directions, 
which are none too minute : — 

The operator provides himselfwdth a strong and sharp, but 
narrow-bladed knife. He seats liiraself, and has an assistant 
turn the sheep on its back, and open the-cleft of the hoof. He 
then begins at the suture and cuts out all horn which has sepa- 
rated from the foot and is suffused with matter. The inner 
sides of the lioruy capsule deserve special attention, as do also 
the parts where the horn appears whiter and softer than on 
the other parts of the hoof. The knife must be freely used, 
and all loose horn removed up to the point whete the con- 
nection remains unimpaired. The bleeding which may 
occur is wholly without danger. 

A knowledge of the anatomy of the sheep's hoof will pre- 
vent tiie abuse of the knife. It is j)roper, in all cases, to pare 
down the sick hoof considerably at the toe and external wall, 
because it can then be more easily examined, and it does not 
touch the ground so forcibly when the animal is walking as 
when it is larger than the healthy one. The knife nuist be 
cleaned from time to time, so that the matter adhering to it 
does not infect the healthy parts. 

If the disease is further advanced, and the secretion has 
collected far down in the hoof, the same operation is per- 



358 Diseases of Sheep. 

formed ; and it will sometimes be necessary to remove the 
whole capsule. Every hidden channel which may be present 
should be sounded, oj)ened and laid bare. If the wound 
becomes covered with bl<»od during the operation, as is com- 
monly the case, it should be frequently dried with tow. If 
a single diseased place remain from which the horn is not 
removed, a cure cannot be expected. After cutting away 
the whole or a part of the horny capsule, it is always neces- 
sary to apply a bandage to protect the hoof from dangerous 
external irritation. 

The foot thus thoroughly prepared, the next step is to 
apply a caustic. Of these, very many have been suggested. 
Colonel Randall prefers to everything else a hot saturated 
solution of sulphate of copper (common blue vitriol). He fills 
a large, shallow tank with water, to the depth of four inches, 
and has each sheep stand ten minutes in it, or, in bad cases, 
longer. The solution is kept as hot as the hand can bear it, 
by the addition of boiling water, saturated with the vitriol. 
This he extols as the most certain, the easiest and the cheap- 
est remedy he has ever tried. 

For the same reasons Mr. Clok praises chloride of lime 
(common bleaching powder). After paring tlie foot, he 
covers it with the chloride, and fills the cleft with a piece of 
tow, whose ends are twisted into a small cord and fastened 
around the pastern joint. This forms a soft and tightly 
fitting bandage. The hoofs are inspected daily for some time, 
and the chloride renewed if necessary. Two or three apj)li- 
cations may be required. In malignant cases, before apply- 
ing the chloride, he W'Ould bathe the parts Avith — 

No. 398. Creosote, 1 part. 

Alcohol, 4 parts. 

For a foot wash. 

Of the many other applications popular in rot, we give 
some examples, premising w4th the remark that any one of 



Treatment of Foot Rot. 359 

them is useful if the foot is well prepared, and Jio one of 
tlieni is worth mueh otherwise. 

One quite popular in central New York is — 

No. 399. Sulphate of copper (blue vitrio!), 1 lb. 

Acetate of copper (verdigris), .} lb. 

Linseed oil, 1 pint. 

Tar, 1 quart. 

Rub the vitriol and verdigris in very fine powder, with the oil, then 
add the tar and mix thoroughly. 

Mr. Finlay Duu sj^eaks well of the following: — 

No. 400. Powdered sulphate of copper, 1 part. 

Tar, 3 parts. 

Mix well over a slow fire. 

And— 

No. 401. Oil of turpentine, 1 part. 

Sweet oil, 3 parts. 

Used in tedious cases of foot rot. 

Carbolic acid in 5 or 6 ])er cent, solution, nitrate of silver, 
cldoride of zinc, and in fact almost any of the caustics answer 
well. 

Whatever preparation is used, the sheep should be kept 
in a dry, well-littered shed, or on a short, dry pasture for a 
day or two after the application, as if they are at once turned 
into a field covered with wet and high grass, it is obvious 
that the caustic will in great part be washed from the foot. 

The foot rot is essentially a local disease ; but in severe 
cases it is advised to give internally a tonic, such as — ■ 

No. 402. Common salt, 1 to 2 drachms. 

Sulphate of iron. 

Nitrate of potash, of each I drachms. 

Make into a powder, to be given daily. 

When the rot appears in its most malignant form, and the 
case is a very bad one, many veterinarians claim that no 
remedy is equal to baiter of antimony (solution of terchlor- 
ide of antimony). It is an energetic caustic, and must be 
employed cautiously. As it cannot be diluted with Avater 



3G0 Diseases of Sheep. 

without undergoing decomposition, it should be mixed with 
an ecj^uul quantity of compound tincture of myrrh. I'rof. 
Williams states that for general use in the disease he has 
found it as effectual, and much less painful to the animal 
than any other. The sulphate of copper he thinks suitable 
for mild cases. 

As a preventive of foot rot, nothing is so effective as a 
solution of arsenic, used in the following manner : — 

No. 403. Arsenic, 

Washing soda, of each 2 lb. 

Water, 10 gallons. 

Boil slowly to eight gallons, and fill up to ten. 

With this, the hoofs of the sheep are thoroughly sponged 
after cleaning; or the animal is obliged to stand for a 
minute or two in a tub or shallow trough containing it. Some 
of the largest Scotch breeders use this occasionally during 
the summer and fall, and as a consequence foot rot is 
unknown in their flocks. 

FOUL IN THE FOOT. 

Although sheep are much less subject to this disease than 
cattle, they will contract it if kept in wet and filthy yards, 
or on moist, boggy pastures. They are also prone to it in 
wet seasons, from walking in the tall, dripping grass. 

The skin in the cleft of the foot has a macerated or water- 
soaked appearance, accomjianied by slight inflammation, 
passing into ulceration, and bringing on lameness. Often at 
this stage it is mistaken for hoof rot. 

The treatment of the disease is simple, as it will generally 
disappear of itself if the flock is turned on dry, short, up- 
land pastures, or kept in a clean, well-littered yard. Further 
than this, it is well to wash and otherwise clean the feet, and 
paint them with a mixture of one part powdered blue vitriol 



Stotie in Sheej). 361 

rubbed up M-ith five or six parts of tar; or other simple 
stimulant and cleansing preparation. 

STONE IN THE BLADDER. 

Male sheep, both rams and wethers, especially when highly 
fed, are subject to the formation of stones in the bladder. 
These stones are not of carbonate of lime, as those in the 
horse and ox (see page 161), but like those occasionally 
found in the pig, consist of the ammonio-phosphate of mag- 
nesia. 

Their presence is attributed to high feeding, or to feeding 
on some special article of diet, especially oil cake and 
turnips, both these foods being rich in the chemical sub- 
stances which make up the stone. 

The symptoms are difficulty and pain in passing Mater, 
straining, and sometimes bloody urine. 

Treatment. — It is possible to operate successfully for 
stone in the bladder in sheep; but unless the animal is 
valuable, it is not worth while to undertake treatment. 

In costly rams, kept for breeding purposes, after the stone 

is removed, the treatment recommended by an English 

writer, Mr. Litt, may be undertaken with a fair prospect of 

preventing any further return or increase of the trouble. He 

begins with a dose as follows : — 

No. 404. Castor oil, 6 to 8 oz. 

Extract of belladonna, 8 to 16 grains. 

Mix for one dose. 

After til is has acted he puts the ram on doses of bi- 
carbonate of j^otash, thirty to sixty grains, re})eated thrice 
daily, freely diluted with water. The bowels are kept open 
by laxative food, and the animal is given plenty of exercise 



362 Diseases of Sheep. 

LAMBING IN THE EWE. 

Northern farmers aim to have their lambs yeaned in April 
and tlie fii'st weeks of May. In the Merina and Saxon 
breeds this act generally takes phice without impediment; 
but in high-kept English ewes, difficult positions of the lamb 
occasionally require the shepherd's assistance. 

The natural position of the lamb in leaving the womb is with 
the nose first, and the fore feet on each side of it. But the 
lamb can be born without much delay which presents with 
both hind feet and the rump. 

The general methods of relief are the same in false presen- 
tations as have been described in the co\v, (page 320). The 
broad rules are, when the lamb jiresents unnaturally, to push 
it back into the womb ; when force is applied to withdraw 
it, be sure that it is exerted in the line of the vagina, and 
simultaneously with the labor pains, the operator resting 
when they jxiss off; and the exercise of traction in a gentle 
and steady, not in a jerking manner. 

When the pains are deficient, they can be stimulated with 

ergot, as — 

No. 405. Powdered ergot, 

Powdered ginger, of each 30 grains. 

For one dose. 

When the pains are excessive and exhausting, the follow- 
ing is recommended, to render them regular and keep up the 
strength : — 

No. 406. Spirits of camphor, 1 drachm. 

Laudanum, 2 oz. 

Give in some gruel. 

As in cows (see page 323), so in ewes, the womb is liable 
to become inverted and hang, like a bag, from the vagina. 
The treatment is substantially the same. It should be well 
washed with alum water, carefully returned, and retained 
either by a bandage, or by taking a single strong stitch 



Lamhinr/ in the Etre. 363 

through the h'ps of the vagina. If this fails to effect a cure, 
and the falling of the womb beeonics habitual, it should be 
strongly corded close to the vagina and allowed to slough 
oif. 

Milk Fever in Ewes. 

Puerperal fever or milk fever is not common among ewes, 
at least in the United States. It more generally affects mid- 
dle-aged ewes and those carrying twins; those which are 
highly fed and plethoric are special subjects for its attacks. 

The early symptoms arc, loss of appetite ; twitching of the 
hind legs and ears; dullness and weakness ; staggering; and 
the discharge of a dark-colored and offensively smelling fluid 
from the vagina. The time of attack is generally a few days 
befoi'e the expected yeaning time, and the fetus is nearly 
always discharged dead, and often putrid. 

The treatment recommended by an experienced New York 
sheep raiser is as follows : — 

Separate the sick ewe at once from the flock, and give her 

Ko. 407. Sulphate of magnesia, 2 l-i 3 oz. 

Kitrate of potash, 1 tlrachm. 

Molasses, 3 oz. 
Give in a pint of warm linseed gruel. 

Should this not open the bowels in eight or ten hours, it 
should be repeated. After that the nitre and molasses are 
continued, without the salts, as long as there is fever. If the 
period of yeaning is at hand, as is generally the case, a little 
extract of belladonna is to be put on the end of the. finger, 
and placed on the mouth of the womb. This, repeated 
hourly, will soon cause relaxation and discharge of i\\Q con- 
tents. The womb should then be thoroughly syringed out 
with warm water and milk, dilute lime water, or a warm, 
weak solution of chloride of lime or carbolic acid (1 or 2 per 
cent.). The ewe's position is made as comfortable as possi- 



364 i)/.sea.se.'? of Sheep. 

ble, and always changed twice a day. Tonics and nutritious 
food are called for, to hasteu the retiu'n to health. 

As a preventive, a small quantity of grain, say half a pint 
per head, for two months before lambing, is generally effi- 
cient. 

If constipation persists after lambing or al^ortion, Prof. 
Gamgee recommends that the ewe be given — 

No. 408. Sulphate of magnesia, I oz. 

Laudanum, 1 drachm. 

Powdered camphor, ^ drachm. 
Mix in gruel, for one dose. 

Garget in Ewes. 

The symptoms of this are enlargement of the udder, 
which is hot and tender to the touch and has a dense, fleshy 
feeling;. Sometimes it is so sensitive that the ewe refuses the 
lamb. In the more severe type, what is termed "black 
garget," there is a dark -colored spot or spots of mortification 
on the udder, which break, forming ugly and intractable 
ulcers. The ewe is lame, and often suffers from chills and 
shivering. 

The treatment must be prompt. The udder must be 
thoroughly fomented with a sheepskin dipped in hot salt 
water, and if tha inflammation is high, the udder hot, and 
the swelling extending upward, blood must be drawn, to the 
extent of half a pint, from the large vein which runs under 
the belly. Internally the ewe should have 

Ko. 409. Sulphate of magnesia, 4 oz. 

Powdered ginger, 1 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, ^^ oz. 
Mix for one dose. 

If these measures do not reduce the swelling, as soon as 
matter forms, and can be detected by a fluctuating feeling 
imparted to the finger, the spot must be lanced freely, the 
pus turned out, and the cavity thoroughly syringed with 
strong: salt water. 



Wieumatimi in L<imbf<. 3G5 

In mild cases wo may omit the turpentine from tlie above 
and giV'O — 

No. 410. Sulpliate of magnesia, ." oz. 

Flowers of sulphur, 1 < /.. 

Mix in gruel. 

The kimb should be put to the teat as often, and a.s soon, 
as practicable. 

RHEUMATISM OF LAMBS. 

A disease which has occasionally been spoken of as 
identical with the one described as Louping 111, and re- 
garded as a species of "palsy," is simply acute rheumatism 
as it manifests itself in young lambs, within the first few 
weeks of their lives. 

S3^pt0111S. — The symptoms are not always the same. The 
first is generally a stiffness of one or more legs. Walking is 
obviously difficult, and the motion of the limbs unnatural 
and clumsy. This stiffness extends to the other joints, 
especially to the neck, which is cramped, and nn willingly 
moved. The animal is listless, depressed, and remains in one 
position. The bowels become obstinately constipated, and 
the belly lean and tucked up. 

Usually the joints SM'ell and become painful, the swelling 
being hot and tender to the touch. ^Vfter death these 
enlargements are found to be due to inflammation of the 
cartilages and lining membranes of the joints, presenting the 
usual appearance of acute articular rheumatism. 

The disease generally lasts from one to two weeks, but 
death may occur sooner ; and M'hen recovery does take j)lace 
it is generally slow, requirmg three or four %yeeks, with a 
liability to relapses. 

Treatment. — It is the opinion among intelligent breeders 
that this malady is frequently, perhaps generally brought on 



366 jyiseases of Sheep. 

by injudicious feeding of the ewe during her period of 
gestation, thus vitiating the blood of the lamb, and render- 
ing it unable to M'ithstand the changes of temperature to 
which it is exposed. Thus it is stated by Mr. Clok that if 
the diet of the ewe during the last months of pregnancy 
consists of much clover, hay, potatoes, grain, and drinks of 
groats, the lambs are very prone to palsy soon after birth. 
Mouldy food of all kinds, mouldy oil cakes, rotten carrots, 
potatoes, etc., as avcII as putrid water, are very injurious. 

The injurious influence of vitiated food in producing this 
rheumatic disease in lambs has not only been proved by 
numerous accidental observations, but is shown beyond a 
doubt by interesting and striking direct experiments. The 
fact that the milk of the mother exercises great influence in 
the production of the disease is proved by the experiment of 
allowing healthy lambs to suck the milk of a ewe wliose 
young perished in this way. This experiment has been tried 
repeatedly, and the lambs were always affected with the dis- 
ease. The fact is therefore beyond a doubt. 

Not only vitiated or improper food causes the milk of the 
mother to become injurious, but also a diseased condition of 
the ewe, especially if she be afil;cted with the fluke and rot. 
In lambs, catching cold is a source of the disease, which is 
the more certainly produced if the above-mentioned predis- 
position exists. It cannot, however, be stated with certainty 
whether catching cold is necessary, or whether the disease 
may be produced without, nor has it been ascertained if it 
can arise solely from catching cold without the presence of a 
predisposition for the disease or of other circumstances. 
Both are probable, however. It is most common during the 
wet, cold days of March and April and during bad weather, 
especially when the sheep are kept in warm, narrow and close 
stables. It appears particularly in weak, thiu-wooled lambs 



Rheumatism in ]jambs. 367 

whose development is retarded, probably l^ecause they are 
most sensitive to cold. 

Besides securing a proper diet for the ewes, the lambs, 
which are constipated, should have a preventive medical 
treatment, by giving them a warm laxative drench, such 
as 

No. 410. Sulphate of magnesia, 2 o^. 

Powdered carraway or ginger, \ oz. 

Mix in a half pint of thin gruel, and give a wineglassful, warm, to a 
lamb two weeks old. 

In the beginning of the mild forms of the disease Mr. 
Clok, says the following is a certain remedy : 

No. 411. Sulphuretted antimony, powdered, 5 parts. 

Fresh butter, 1 part. 

Mix, and give a piece the size of a hazel nut, three times a day. 

Or the following ; 

No. 412. Sal ammoniac, 1 oz. 

Sulphate of soda, 2 oz. 

Essence of ginger, 1 drachm. 

Mix in a quart of water, and give a teaspoonful several times a day. 

The use of a strong decoction of willow bark, sweetened 
with molasses, and given in spoonful doses, often repeated, 
promises well in such cases. 

The local treatment should be by soothing and sedative 
liniments, as of oil and laudanum, or soap liniment, with hot 
fomentations. The swellings should not be irritated Avith 
stimulating liniments, and still less, opened, as some ignor- 
ant persons have occasionally done. 

Baths are efficient agents in aiding the cure. Some prefer 
cold baths at 50° Fahrenheit, in order to reduce the febrile 
symptoms. But better results will be obtained by warm 
baths at 95° to 100° Fah., in which some salt and mustard 
are dissolved. In this the lamb should be soaked for a half 
hour or hour, when it can be dried, wrapped in a woolen 
blanket, and placed in a warm corner. 



^G8 Dk-eases of Sheep. 

CONSTIPATION IN LAMBS. 

Lambs, especially those which are fed artificially, either on 
cow's milk or the milk of other ewes, arc liable to constipa- 
tion. The bowels ceasing to act, the animal droops, and 
lies down most of the time. Its belly becomes distended, 
the urine becomes scanty or almost suspended, the brain is 
oppressed, a stupor supervenes, and if not speedily relieved, 
the animal dies. 

The treatment in such cases may be by medicines which 
act on the bowels, or by injections into the rectum, or by 
both combined. Two or three spoonfuls of melted lard, or 
one spoonful of castor oil are suitable internally. But the 
most reliable treatment is to give the lamb an injection of 
warm mill:, about the temperature of the body, colored to a 
light brown by molasses stirred in it, two or three ounces 
of which are to be administered with a small syringe. To 
give this properly, the lamb should be held up j^erpendicu- 
larly by the hind legs, so that the fore feet but just touch the 
floor, during and for a moment after the injection. If 
hardened dung is not discharged with the fluid, or soon after- 
ward, the injection is to be repeated. 

If after the medicine has operated the lamb continues in- 
active and dull, it requires a tonic, as some spoonfuls of 
strong boneset tea [Enpatorium perfoliatum), or this, recom- 
mended by Prof. Gamgee : — 

No. 413. Golden sulphur of antimony, y drachm. 

Common salt, 1 drachm. 

For a dose, once daily. 

SIABBHEA IN LAMBS. 

Diarrhea, which frequently attacks whole herds on first 
feeding on green grass, is usually of no danger ; and when 
in individual cases simple diarrhea calls lor attention, it 



Diarrhea in Lambs. 369 

should be treated on the same principles and with the same 
remedies previously recommended for calves (see page 3o7). 
But in sucking lambs diarrhea is often a very fatal disease, 
and must receive the closest attention of the shepherd, in 
order to rescue the patient. 

Causes. — These are chiefly exposure to cold, sudden 
changes of temperature, as a hot stable in winter, and the 
drafts and Lad air it involves, and improper diet. Cold 
drinks and a plethoric condition of the ewe are other causes. 

Symptoms. — These are well described by Mr. Clok, as 
follows : The disease apjjears without warning ; the lamb 
becomes languid and sad, keeps away from the other lambs, 
stands with bent back, or lies down frequently. The ex- 
crement, which is repeatedly discharged, is thin, whitish or 
greenish, afterward watery and luixed with mucus, and finally 
bloody. The animal ceases to suck and eat, but is very 
thirsty. It bleats frequently, evinces signs of pain if pres- 
sure is applied to its belly, and makes efforts to discharge 
excrement. The lamb rapidly loses flesh, its belly sinks in, 
and death ensues between the second and fifth days, and 
sometimes even on the first day. 

If the body is opened, the rennet-bag especially, and a 
large portion of the intestines, are found to be inflamed. 
The rennet-bag and the intestines, jmrticularly the inflamed 
parts, contain a substance looking like cheese or curdled 
milk. The best sheep are most liable to the disease, but if 
it appears as a plague, all lambs without distinction sufler 
from it. 

Treatment. — This should, of course, be, in the first place, 
to do away with the predisposing causes we have mentioned 
above. A general ride is to change the food as soon as the 
diarrhea appears in a fold, even though it may not seem to 
be at fault. Ventilation, pure air, and a temperature between 

24 



370 Diseases of Sheep. 

50° and 60° are to be obtained, when jwssible. One of tae 
})est of foods lor lambs is — 

No. 414. White of egg, 1 part. 

AVater, 6 parts. 

Beat together, and give milk-warm, as much as the patient wants. 

A little laudanum can be added to this, if desired. The 
albumen of the egg is soothing and restraining to the deli- 
cate intestinal membrane, while it sujjports the strength. 
For a mild medicine, the following : — 

No. 415. Prepared chalk, 2 oz. 

Ginger, in powder, ^ oz. 

Opium, in powder, 1 drachm. 

Mix in a pint of peppermint or calamus tea, and give a tablespoonful 
uiglit and morning. 

When more positive astringent action is demanded, one 
ounce of powdered catechu should be added to the above. 

In serious cases, where, as above mentioned, the stools 
become slimy and tinged with blood, and the weakness is 
great, we must have recourse to arsenic. Two to three drops 
of Fowler's solution of arsenic should be given three or four 
times a day, in a teaspoonful of water, to a young lamb. 
Sometimes such cases can be benefited by small doses of 
quinine, two or three grains given five or six times a day. 

One variety of diarrhea in lambs is known as the " white 
scour," because the excrement is of ii whitish color. It is 
usually watery and very acrid, and irritating to the external 
parts. With it there is much colic, loss of appetite, and 
rapidly increasing w^eakness. 

In all cases this arises from the non-digestion of the ewe's 
milk. Either the lamb has a weak stomach, or overloads it, 
or the milk is not of a healthy character. Highly fed ewes 
are specially liable to have this disease in their lambs, their 
milk probably being too rich. 

The treatment is to prevent the lamb taking so much, or 



Diarrhea in Lambs. 371 

to put it on dilute cow's milk for a few days. In addition, 
it should have an alkaline laxative, to clear the bowels — 

No. 416. Bicarbonate of potash, 

Calcined magnesia, of each J oz. 

Divide into eight powders, and give one four times a day. 

This may be given for one or two days, until the character 
of the evacuations changes. Should the weakness be threat- 
eningly great, the following will be found unsurpassed: — 

Ko. 417. Eggs, 2 

"Whiskey, 2 oz. 

Essence of ginger, 1 drachm. 

Beat up in a pint of oatmeal gruel, made with milk, and give a few 
spoonfuls every 3 hours. 

TTJENSICK— STURDY— GID— HYDATID OF THE BEAIN. 

Definition. — A disease of the brain of the sheep, character- 
ized chiefly by vertigo, arid owing to the presence in the 
brain of a hydatid, or bladder-worm, the Coeiiurus ccrehralis. 

Causes. — We know more about the the species of parasite 
which causes this disease than about many other species of 
those strange animals. The bladder-worm of the head of 
the sheep is nothing else than a form of the tapeworm of 
the dog, Taenia cenurus, at an earlier stage of its existence. 
The mature tapeworm lives in the bowels of the dog ; its 
eggs are passed wath the excrement, and they feed on the 
grass which the sheep eats, and are swallowed with the food; 
thus introduced to a suitable home, they select as their 
quarters the animal's brain, in the substance of which they 
attain their full growth, which may be about the size of a 
hen's egg. 

Not more than two can develop in the brain at one time, 
and it is rare to find more than one of any considerable size. 
The victims are usually lambs and hoggets, sheep over two 
years being rarely aficcted. It prevails most where dogs are 



372 Diseases of Sheep. 

used to attend the sheep, and where they frequent the pas- 
tures. 

The bladder consists of a tliin membrane, filled with 
watery, yellowish fluid, in Avhioh a largo number of small, 
white bodies arc floating, each the immature tapeworm, 
provided with hooks and a sucking mouth, which it applies to 
the inner walls of the l)laddcr, and through them derives its 
nourishment from the brain substance. 

Symptoms. — These are cm-ious and well marked. When 
the animal is first affected there are staggering, reeling and 
stupefaction, little appetite and debility. In walking the 
animal describes a circle, always turning in the same 
direction, lifting its feet high, and often running against ob- 
stacles. Total blindness and deafness may ensue. These 
may subside for a while, as the contents of the skull adapt 
themselves to the hydatid ; but as it continues to enlarge and 
consume the brain, the symptoms return with greater sever- 
ity, palsy creeps on, the animal can no longer stand, becomes 
insensible and dies. 

The location of the hydatid in the brain is indicated by 
the motion or turning of the sheep. If it is in the left lobe 
or half of the brain the animal turns to the right ; if in the 
right lobe, his turning is to the left ; if in the back part of 
the brain, the cerebellum, the movements are performed 
without control, the head is elevated, the limbs moved with 
difficulty, and he starts and falls repeatedly ; finally, if the 
hydatid is in the middle of the brain in front, the sheep goes 
forward in a straight line, holds its nose in the air, steps very 
high, and soon loses the sight of one or both eyes. 

The growth of the hydatid is rather rapid, and in three 
weeks' time from the first appearance of the symptoms, if' 
the skull be pressed firmly with the thumb where the above 
rules point out the lodging of the hydatid, a noticeable de- 
gree of softening will be found, as if the skull were want- 



Hydatid of the Brain. 373 

ing in that particular spot. In fact, the bone has become 
tliin, and been absorbed by the suckers of the small tape- 
worms above described ; and sometimes the skin is accident- 
all}' broken, the hydatid emerges and ruptures its cyst, and 
the sheep recovers. 

Treatment. — The natural cure just described, which, ho^v- 
ever, is very rare, suggests the proper course of treatment 

The head must be repeatedly felt, for the soft spot in the 
skull, and as soon as it is fixed upon, a trocar and canula are 
introduced, the trocar withdrawn, a syringe ajiplied through 
the canula, and the contents of the cyst extracted. 

This treatment always alleviates for the time, but it is 
liable to be followed by inflammation of the brain and 
death ; or by the growth of another hydatid, which requires 
the repetition of the operation. Hence we would suggest 
another means of easy application, which has j)i"oved,in some 
hands, very successful. This is, not to open the cyst to the 
air, which is very liable to j^roduce destructive inflammation, 
but to 2:)uncture its walls with the needle of a strong hypo- 
dermic syringe and inject into it with some of the following 
solution : — 



No. 418. Iodine, 

Iodide of potash. 
Water, 


1 grain. 
5 grains. 
1 oz. 


Mix and use a lialf teaspoonful at a time. 





Important preventive measures are to keep dogs away 
from the sheep folds and walks ; or to give them, if required 
for attendance on the sheep, a good tapeworm vermifuge, 
now and then ; and to administer the same to the sheep 
themselves. 



374 Diseases of Sheep. 

SHEEP BOTS— GEUBS IN THE HEAD— HEAD MAGGOTS. 

We liave described on an earlier page (p. 150), the his- 
tory of the gadfly or bot fly in the horse. The species of the 
same insect which attacks the sheep, tlie cestrus ovis, does not 
choose the stomach or bowels as the place of its residence 
when in the larval condition, bnt a far more annoying part 
of the body of its luiwilling host, to wit, the nostrils and 
frontal sinuses, or hollow chambers in the front of the skull 
communicating with the nostrils. 

The sheep greatly dread the fly, and at its approach will run 
wildly about, bury their nostrils in the dust, or gather together 
in groups, with their heads downward, jostling against each 
other, to drive away their enemy. When struck by the fly 
they stamp the ground violently, and exhibit other signs 
of distress, amounting to agony. 

As soon as the larva is deposited at the entrance of the 
nostril, it proceeds upwivd, holding on by the firm hooks 
which arm its head, and makes its way into the furthest 
recesses of the nasal chambers, causing the animal, in its 
progress, great pain and irritation, resulting sometimes 
in vertigo, inflammation of the brain, madness and death. 
When the disease has reached its highest point the animal 
loses flesh, falls down frequently, grinds its teeth, rolls its 
reddened eyes, and finally dies on the fourth or eighth day. 
In mild cases recovery takes place unaided ; the larv* are 
thrown out by frequent sneezing, along with mucus ; and 
this is the only sure sign of the disease, at least, for the non- 
professional. Sometimes vertigo is present at the same 
time. 

If the head of a dead animal is opened, more or less 
larvt^e are found in the above-mentioned cavities, which re- 
semble those found in the stomachs of horses. The nmcous 
membrane of these cavities is inflamed, red, bluish, dark- 



Grubs in the Head. 375 

red or ash-colored, and sometimes even gangrenous at dif- 
ferent points. Thirty and even forty of these larvae have 
been found together, but there is generally a much smaller 
number present. 

Treatment. — The line of treatment pursued may be in 
three directions : — 

1st, By violent sneezing the bots can sometimes be expelled 
from the nostrils. For this purpose, tobacco snuff can be 
shaken into the animal's nostril ; or when, owing to the 
number, this is impracticable, they may be driven into a close 
shed, and irritating substances, such as horn, leather, feathers, 
etc., be burned. 

2dly. In severe cases, the horns are sawed off close to the 
head, the sinuses opened with a trocar, and some sweet oil, 
flavored with turpentine, is poured in. 

3dly. The sheep are seized, and the nose held up, wliile a 
teaspoonful or tM^o of a mixture of equal parts of sweet oil 
and turpentine are poured into the nostrils. This requires 
some care, that the anim^d is not choked by the fluid passing 
into the lungs. It is, however, very efiicacious. 

To prevent the flies from depositing their eggs in the nos- 
trils, some shepherds smear the noses of the sheep with tar 
during June and July ; others run furrows across the field, 
so that the sheep can protect themselves from the flies by 
burying their nose in the dirt. 

LUNG WORMS— THE HOOSE IN LAMBS. 

Defluition. — A disease caused by the presence in the 
breathing tubes (the windpipe and bronchi), and the bowels, 
of a worm, called the lung worm, strongulus filaria. The 
complaint is quite common in Ohio, where it is known as 
" white skin," the " pale disease," " paper skin," " pelt rot," 
etc., from the bloodless appearance wdiich precedes death. It 
is often very fatal, though it should not be, as it is a curable 
disease. 



376 Diseases of Sheep. 

C^USe. — While ill one sense we know the cause of this 
di.sca.^e, as stated in the definition above, in another sense we 
arc ignorant of it, as tlie origin and life history of these 
curious parasites arc still a sealed book to us. The disease 
prevails especially in low, damp situations; on grounds sub- 
ject to overflow, and grown Avith rank grass ; after heavy 
rains, and in the autumn months. It has already been to 
some extent discussed, in speaking of hoose in calves. 
According to the best authorities, the disease is steadily 
increasing, both in England and the United States. [See 
Uir/Jiland Agric. Soc. Reports, 1878). 

The worm itself is from one to three inches in length, 
slender and whitish, like a thread, and while in sheep they 
are mostly found in the bronchial tubes, in lambs they are 
discovered in the lung tissue itself. When in the lungs of 
sheep, they are not active, but folded in cysts. Often they 
are matted together in masses or balls, which choke up the 
passages they inhabit. 

Symptoms. — The presence of these worms does not always 
cause inconvenience to the sheep. Occasionally prime, and 
to all appearances perfectly healthy animals are killed, whose 
lungs are found fdled with them. In lambs, however, they 
are a frequent cause of death. 

W^hen lodged in the bowels, the symptoms are those of 
dysentery, with fetid stools. There is much straining, and clots 
of Ijlood may be passed. When in the lungs, they cause irrita- 
tion and inflammation, indicated by a husky cough, quickened 
l)reathing, rubbing the nose on the ground, loss of appetite 
and flesh, and exhaustion. These symptoms are clearly not 
positive, and, indeed, the only unquestionable sign of the 
presence of the worm is its discovery in the feces, or in the 
mucus from the mouth and throat. The combination, liow- 
ever, of a cou.h in a number of lambs, occurring often with 
dysenteric symptoms, and under the conditions above men- 



Trcaimient of Lung Worms. 377 

tioned, should lead to the careful examination of the lungs and 
windpipe of the first victim, for the piu'jiose of discovering the 
parasite. The complaint is often mistaken for a sort of 
"scours," but if attention is paid to the short, husky, often 
almost incessant cough, which is nearly invariably present in 
all forms of the disease, such an error will not be committed. 

Treatment. — The preventive treatment is to feed the 
lambs on fresh pastures ; second and third year crops are to 
be specially avoided, if they have been previously grazed by 
sheep. In damp seasons, hilly and well-drained fields should 
be chosen ; and abundance of nutritive food furnished. 
Rock salt should be placed in the fields, or common salt 
given frequently. 

To cure the disease, the worm should be attacked both in 
the lungs and in the bowels. To destroy them in the lungs, 
chlorine gas has been recommended for inhaling; but. it is 
unsafe, and sulphurous acid gas is equally efficient. The 
animals are placed in a roomy, closed shed or stable, and the 
gas obtained by burning sulphur, as recommended on page 
29. Should the chlorine gas be preferred, It is to be 
managed as follows : — 

Get a jjound of chloride of lime (bleaching powder), and 
mix it with water in a shallow dish, to about the thickness 
of cream. The sheep should be collected in a closed shed or 
stable, and the operator enters, provided with this dish of 
chloride and a bottle of common sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol). 
He pours the acid very gradually on the chloride, by which 
the chlorine gas wall be rapidly disengaged. He continues 
it as long as he can conveniently breathe the air thus 
saturated with the gas, and when he can do this no longer 
with comfort, lie retires, taking his apparatus with him. 
The sheep are left to breathe the gas for half an hour, and 
should be subjected to it twice a day for several days. 

Both when in the lungs and intestines, turpentine inter- 



378 Diseases of Sheep. 

nally will dislodge or destroy the ■worms. This penetrating 
oil is probably carried by the blood to the lungs, where its 
fumes are so unpleasant to the parasites that they are dis- 
lodged. An eminent English authority, Dr. Crisp, in a 
recent essay oti this disease, furnishes the following as excel- 
lent receipts for this purpose: — 

No. 419. Sulphate of magnesia, 6 oz. 

Nitrate of potash, 4 oz. 

Pour on these three pints boiling water, and when the solution is 
milk warm, add : — 

Oil of turpentine, 4 oz. 

Bole armeniac, ^ oz. 

Mix well, and give three or four tablespoonfuls every other day. 

Or— 

No. 420. Common salt, 3 lb. 

Powdered ginger, 

Nitrate of potash, each I lb. 

Dissolve in three gallons warm water, and when nearly cold, add — 

Oil of turpentine, 24 tz. 

The dose for lambs from four to six months old is one wineglassful. 

The above quantity will suffice for 160 lambs. 

Mr. Finlay Dun recommends that when luug worms pre- 
vail, throuo-hout the summer and fall months the lambs 
should have, about once a fortnight, a dose of the following 
tonic and vermifuge mixture : — 

No. 421. Oil of turpentine, 

Powdered gentian, 

Laudanum, of each 2 oz. 

Dissolve in a quart of linseed tea or lime water. This is enough for 
ten or twelve doses. 

Prof. N. S. Townshend, of Ohio, who has written ably on 
this disease, gives to lambs the following : — 

No. 422. Oil of turpentine, J oz. 

Whiskey. 1 pint. 

Shake together, and give a tablespoonful once a day for a week or two. 



The Rot. 379 

THE EOT— THE LIVER FLTJKE. 

Definition. — A disease of the sheep caused by tlie presence 
in the liver of a flat worm, of tlie order Trematoda, and 
known as the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, 

CaUSG. — The close attention which has been given of late 
years to the study of parasites has resulted in a history 
almost complete of the fluke worm. The mature worm 
throws off several thousand eggs, which j^ass with the feces 
from the anus. Some of them are carried by rains, or the 
feet of passing animals, into water courses. There they de- 
velop into higher forms, and take up their residence, for a 
time, in the bodies of shell fish and water insects. At the 
time of an inundation, numbers of them, with and without 
their hosts, are left on the meadows. The sheep eat them 
M-ith the grass, and the miniature fluke passes down the 
bowel until it reaches the liver duct, which it ascends, and 
forthwith begins its final development and ovulation. 

Hence it is that the rot is especially prevalent during the 
spring of the year, when rains are abundant and freshets 
frequent; in wet seasons, when the meadows are damp and 
overflowed at times ; and on low grounds, where the transfer 
of aquatic worms, etc., to the soil is rendered easy. 

The fluke itself is a flat, transparent or whitish worm, 
from half an inch to an inch in length, and about a third as 
much in breadth. It is usually found in the liver, but 
occasionally in other internal organs. Their number is fre- 
quently enormous, reaching occasionally to eight hundred or 
a thousand individuals in a single liver. 

Symptoms. — In wet seasons, and in certain localities, the 
loss by the rot in sheep is very heavy. It is quite destructive 
in Australia, at times in England, and in some parts of the 
United States. Hence it becomes of prime importance to 



380 Diseases of Sheep. 

recognize the early signs of the disease, in order that efficient 
measures for its prevention may be adopted. 

Tlie Scotch shepherds tell the presence of the fluke in two 
ways : 1, by the feel of the flesh ; 2, by the appear- 
ance of the eye. They catch a ewe, and clapping their hand 
on the small of the back, they rub the flesh backward and 
forward, betwixt their fingers and thumb and the ends of 
the short ribs. If the flesh is solid and firm they ccmsider 
her as sound ; if they find it soft and flabby, and imparting 
a crackling feel to the fingers, as if there was water or 
blubber in it, they consider it a sign of unsoundness. 

The other plan is to take the sheep's head between the 
hands, and press down the eyelids so as to push forward the 
winking membrane [mcmbrana nictitans), and bring into 
view the white, or conjunctiva. In health, this is thin, pink, 
and free from turbid secretion ; and if it appears thickened, 
yellowish, or dead white, with a secretion altered to a whitish 
or yellowish matter, the sheep is condemned. 

The progress of the rot is usually slow. The animal be- 
comes inactive and dull ; the lining membrane of the mouth 
turns pale, the flesh wastes, the skin loses its ruddy color, 
becomes dry, and devoid of the natural oil on the fleece. It 
is said that a dry, scaly state of the skin on the inner side of 
the thighs, particularly where it is uncovered with wool or 
hair, is one of the earliest symptoms apparent. 

As the disease progresses, the flanks become hollow, the 
back rigid, and there are weakness and tenderness about the 
loins. The fleece falls off in patches, the belly swells, the 
eye becomes jaundiced, and there is dropsy in different parts 
of the body. The thirst is usually excessive, the appetite 
irregular and unnatural ; there are diarrhea, a weak heart and 
general stupor. 

After death the liver is found to be hard, irregular, of a 
dirty chocolate brown, and filled with flukes. The meat is 



Tiie Rot or Fluke. 381 

flabby, pale or yellow, watery and wasted, very different in 
firmness and color from healthy mutton. 

Treatment, — As it may be considered certain that the 
fluke cannot develope its various stages of life on dry land, 
it is important to secure well-drained pastures for sheep. 
Should a flock once be attacked, it is better to dispose of 
them, and turn the pasturage into cultivation for a few 
seasons. 

In wet seasons, when there is danger from the rot, even on 
sound pastures, the natural food should be supplemented by 
cakes, corn, beans, or other nutritious diet. An abundance 
of common salt is recognized by all writers to be very effi- 
cient in preventing the disease. It may be placed freely in 
the pastures, where they can gain access to it, or it may 
advantageously be given in a combination as follows : — 

No. 423. Common salt, 2 lb?. 

Sulphate of iron, 1 !b. 

Mix with clover, meal, or grain, for 100 sheep. Give twice or three 
times a week. 

Or— 

No. 424. Mustard flour, 1 lb. 

Juniper berries. 

Common salt, of each, 2 lbs. 

Mix with sufiicient ground food for 100 sheep. 

These remedies should be continued regularly, as long as 
the wet weather or exposure exists. 

When the disease has been recognized, the animal should 
be isolated in a high and dry pasture, and should receive a 
laxative dose, as follows : 

No. 425. Sulphate of magnesia, J lb. 

Oil of turpentine, 3 drachms. 

Mix for a drench, and give every two days, one-third of the quantity 
at a dose. 

When this has acted, the sheep should have common salt, 
sulphate of iron and wormwood, or gentian, mixed into a 



382 Diseases of Sheep. 

lick. The food should be highly nutritious and abundant. 

An English writer, Mr. John Large, says the only remedy 
which will destroy the fluke in the liver is the 
following : — 

No. 426. Yellow resin, I5 drachms. 

Oil of turpentine, Ij oz. 

Calomel, 18 grains. 

Tincture of iodine, 30 drops. 

For three doses, one every morning, for three days, in gruel. 

INTESTINAL WOKMS. 

Sheep are liable to be infested with a number of varieties 
of intestinal worms, such as tapeworms, round worms, thread 
worms, etc. It is needless to describe and portray these in 
this work, as their specification belongs rather to the realm of 
the strictly scientific than of practical works. 

The symptoms they produce are in many instances very- 
obscure, sometimes not at all manifest. It is no unusual 
sight to find a sheep apparently in excellent health and con- 
dition when slaughtered, to liave many of these parasites in 
its stomach and intestines. 

In general terms, it may be said that the symptoms they 
give rise to are connected, first, with the digestive organs, 
and secondly, by sympathy, with the brain. Thus a loss of 
appetite, or a liking for dirt, old mortar on walls, etc., 
together with constipation and diarrhea alternating, irritation 
about the nose or the anus, indicated by the animal rubbing 
those parts, and a short, dry, or husky cough, are signs of 
irritation in the bowels, which may well come from M'orms. 

The head symptoms are, dizziness, as shown by staggering 
or falling, sometimes convulsions, impairment of the sight, 
running into obstacles, etc. 

The positive sign is to find some of the worms in the ex- 
crement; or to discover them on opening the intestines, in 
which case it may very justly be presumed that they prevail 



Worms. 383 

extensively in the flock, for these species of parasites rarely 
appear alone. 

Treatment. — The prevention of worms is best secured y 
allowing a liberal quantity of salt, and by giving, once a 
fortnight, a saline tonic, and bitter lick to the flock, as, for 
instance — 

No. 427. Common salt, 2 lbs. 

Sulphate of magnesia, 1 lb. 

Sulphate of iron, 

Powdered gentian, each 2 lb. 

Mix with ground fodder, for 75 to 100 sheep. 

Ordinary wood soot, as it can be collected from the chim- 
ney, is a very efficient vermifuge, often used, both in children 
and the lower animals. It may be mixed with salt, or 
sprinkled on the fodder. Another cheap and useful vermi- 
fuge, in the form of a drink, is — 

No. 428. Quick lime, 1 lb. 

Sulphate of iron, 5 oz. 

Mix wfth five gallons of water, and give a pint twice a week. 

As a vermifuge in round and thread-worms, the shepherd 
may use — 

No. 429. Linseed oil, 2 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, J oz. 

For a drench. 

For the tapeworm, the following: — 

No. 430. Powdered areca nut, ^ to 1 drachm. 

Oil of male fern, 10 to 20 drops. 

Give in molasses and water, and follow next day with a purge. This 
is also very effective in the dog. 

THE SCAB— THE MANGE, OR ITCH, IN SHEEP. 

Definition. — A highly contagious disease of the skin, 
•caused by the presence of a parasite in or upon the skin. 

Causes. — There are three different forms of parasites 
which produce the scab, the most common one in this 



884 Diseases of Sheep. 

country being that known as the Dermatodectes oms. It 
dwells upon the skin, deriving its nouiishment by sucking 
the fluids of the animal. Its bites cause severe irritation, 
and a discharge of serous fluid, Avhich dries on the surface 
into scabs, whence the disease derives its name. 

The notion that the scab ever arises from neglect, cold and 
wet, starvation, etc., is obsolete, as it would involve the 
spontaneous generation of the insect, which is absurd. That 
it is worse under such conditions is natural ; and that it oc- 
casionally arises without known cause is owing to the in- 
tensely contagious nature of the complaint, the astonishing 
fecundity of the insect, and its tenacity of life. A pasture 
which has been trod by a flock of scabby sheep has been 
known to give the disease to another flock three years after- 
ward. 

It is surprising that Col. Randall, in his able works on 
sheep husbandry, says that the scab is "comparatively little 
known" in the United States. On the contrary, it is a very 
common disease in New England, New York, and other 
sheep-growing centres. 

Symptoms. — The first and most prominent symptom is 
itchiness, which soon gives the animal a ragged appearance, 
tufts of wool being pulled out, leaving bare patches. If the 
skin is closely examined at these places, a small, reddish 
pimple Avill be noticed, upon the surface of which a small blis- 
ter or vesicle forms. Close examination may discover the 
insect in the vicinity. 

Under this irritation the sheep becomes exceedingly rest- 
less. It rubs itself against trees, fences and rocks, and bites 
and scratches itself with feet and teeth. The scabs are torn 
ofl", sores form and extend, the appetite is lost, the fleece is 
ruined, and the animal dies, worn out with the increasing 
torment. 



Trcatmrni of the Scab. .'j85 

Treatment. — This consists either in dippinjj; tlie slieep in 
a solution of some insecticide preparation ; or in rubbing; 
such a preparation into its skin. As ointments are both 
expensive and troublesome, watery solutions are at r.ll times 
preferable. 

The most effectual of all sheep dips are those containing 
arsenic. Mr. Finlay Dun speaks very highly of the follow- 
ing :— 

No. 431. Arsenic, 

Pearlash, or soda ash, 

Sulphur, 

Soft soap, of each, 3 lbs. 

Mix in ten gallons of boiling water, and add cold water to make one 
hundred gallons. 

The sheep, except his head, of course, is held in this from 
half a minute to a minute, while it is ^vcll rubbed into his 
fleece. He is then lifted on to a slatted drainer, over a tub, 
and the wool well squeezed out; he isthen placed in a yard 
for a few hours, as it is unsafe to turn' them on a pasture 
Avitli this poisonous fluid dripping from them on the grass. 
Horses, cattle and sheep have been known to be poisoned by 
neglect of this precaution. 

The sulphur in the above receipt whitens and softens the 
fleece, and for a time keeps away the flies. One gallon 
of the mixture is the estimated amount used for each sheep. 

Mercurial ointment, and dips containing corrosive sublim- 
ate, w^e do not recommend, as they are too dangerous and 
difficitlt to control. 

Tobacco is a favorite American remedy, but it is rather 
dear. A good formula is the one above given, substituting 
for the arsenic a strong decoction of eight or ten })ounds of 
tobacco. 

Carbolic acid, cresylic acid and the commercial oil of tar, 
properly diluted, are all effective and cheap, but have tlie 
disadvantage of discoloring the avooI ; and if used too strong, 



oS(i Diseases of Sheep. 

are apt to become absorbed, and lead to congestion of tlie 
lungs, and other poisonous effects. A New York breeder of 
experience recommends — 

No. 432. Soda, carbonate of, 6 lbs. 

Water, gallons. 

Heat to a boiling point, and add — 

Oil of tar, 2 gallons. 

Add hot water sufficient for one luindred sheep. 

His general rule is to dilute the spirit of tar with twelve 
times its bulk of water. 

The following dip is poj)ular in France. It is efficient, 
and does not stain the w^ool : — 

No. 433. Arsenic, 2 lbs. 

Sulphate of zinc, 10 lbs. 

Buil in sixty gallons of water, down to fifty, then add ten gallons. 

The following is said, by Prof. Simonds, to be so effective 
that two or three dressings with it wull cure the most inveterate 
cases ; and as it does not require the troublesome preparation 
of a bath, it is very suitable to small flocks: — 

No. 434. Arsenic, 

Carbonate of potash, of each 2 oz. 

Boil in a quart of water till dissolved, and then add water to make 
one gallon. "Then njake the following infusion : — 
Digitalis leaves, 4 oz, 

Boiling water, 1 gallon. 

When cold, add to the previous gallon. 

In using this, about half a pint is shaken from a bottle 
with a quill in the cork, over the back and sides of the sheep, 
the Avool being parted, so that the fluid reaches the skin. 

For those who prefer ointments, we add several of the best 
preparations of the kind. They should be applied as fol- 
lows : Begin at the head of the sheep, and proceeding from 
betAvcen the ears, along the back, to the end of the tail, divide 
the Avool in a furrow, till the skin can be touched, and let a 
finger, slightly dipped in the ointment be drawn along the 
bottom of the furrow. From this furrow similar ones must 



Treatment of the Scab. 387 

be drawn along the shoulders and thighs, to the legs ; and 

others, parallel to these described, in number depending on the 

severity of the disease. 

No. 435. Mercurial ointment, 1 lb. 

Oil of turpentine, ^ pint. 

Resin, 1 lb. 

Lard, 6 lbs. 
Dissolve the resin in the turpentine, mix the mercurial ointment with 

the lard by gentle heat, and when cold, rub the two mixtures 
together. 

No. 436. Oil of turpentine, 4 oz. 

Flowers of sulphur, 6 oz. 

Lard, 1 lb. 

Mix at gentle heat. This is a non-poisonous ointment. 

No. 437. Corrosive sublimate, 2 oz. 

Fish oil, 2 gallons. 

Rub the sublimate with a few ounces of the oil, until perfectly smooth, 

then mix thoroughly with the remainder. This is efficient, but, of 

course, poisonous. 

In all cases rigid isolation of the infected sheep should be 
practiced, and a close watch, kept on the remainder of the 
flock, so that at the first signs of itchiness they shall receive 
prompt treatment. 

The Australian dip for scab is — 

No. 438. Tobacco leaves, 

Sulphur, of each, 1 lb. 

Water, 5 gallons. 

Boil the tobacco in the water, then add the sulphur. 

The sheep is dipped in this solution while quite hot, and re- 
tained in it four or five minutes, its head being from time to 
time thrust under also. 

The following is a non-poisonous, and tolerably efficient 
dip : — 

No. 439. Soft soap, 1^ lb. 

Carbonate of potash, ^ lb. 

Flowers of sulphur, 21 lbs. 
Boil for half an hour, in 20 gallons of water. 

This is enough for twenty sheep. It must be kept hot, 
and the animals should remain in it for full five minutes. 



388 Diseases of tSwine. 

CHAPTER YI. 

DISEASES OF SWINE. 

General Remarks on Diseases of Swine. 

Hog Cholera, so-called, and its varieties. 

Charhon in Swine — Malignant Anthrax — Carbuncular 
Disease — White Bristle. 

Contagious Pneumo-enteritis ; Red Soldier ; the Blue Dis- 
ease; Purples. 

Malignant Epizootic Catarrh. 

Apoplexy and Staggers. 

Coughs^ Colds, Quinsy, and Infiammation. of the Lungs. 

D iarrhea I D iseases — Sco i ( i 's. 

Ague Cake — Milt Swelling — Sj)lenitis. 

Leprosy. 

Trichinosis. 

Hydatids of the Kidneys — Kidney Worms — Lard Worms. 

Jleasles. 

The Mange, Itch, or Scab. 

Lice. 

GENERAL REMARKS ON DISEASES OF SWINE. 

If the remark is eorrect, which we quoted on the au- 
thority of leading agriculturists (page 342), that the sheep 
is unusually healthy in the United States, no one will say 
the same in reference to the hog. On tlie contrary, he is 
liable to so many and such extremely fatal diseases, that the 
loss from them is estimated at many millions of dollars an- 
nually, and in some sections of country they render the 
business of hog breeding a very precarious one. 

Considering the amount of capital involved, it is extra- 
ordinary that these diseases have not received closer study at 
the hands of experts. Several of them are contagious or 



Hog Oxolem. 389 

infectious to a high degree, and demand stringent quarantine, 
isolation or destruction of the herds, in order to confine their 
ravages. 

Nearly all these epidemics are of a rapidly debilitating, 
prostrating character, forbidding bleeding, and the use of 
depressing medicines. Their treatment is further compli- 
cated by the difficulty in giving a hog medicine. In fact, to 
iindertake to administer a drench to a full-grown animal is 
a dangerous undertaking ; and it is desirable, therefore, to 
select such drugs as can be mingled with the food and drink 
without rendering the nourishment repulsive to the animal. 
And as he is not delicate, this can generally be accomplished. 
Like the sheep, the pig is very subject to parasitic diseases, 
partly owing to his uncleanly habits (which, however, be it 
said to his credit, are the results of his domestication, tlie 
wild pig being quite neat and tidy), but chiefly to his gross 
habit of body. Of these, the trichina, measles, kidney 
worm and mange are the most prominent examples. 

HOG CHOLERA, SO CALIED. 

Of the diseases which produce the great mortality of swine, 
that called " Hog cholera " is most notorious. In fact, 
however, this name was applied to the disease simply because 
it is a malignant epidemic, destroying as the cholera destroyed 
in its first and second visits to the United States, not because 
the symptoms in any way resemble those of Asiatic cholera. 

Three different forms of disease are popularly included 
under this name. We have described two of them, as they 
appear in the sheep, the ox and the horse, and we shall 
recognize their identical traits in the hog. The first of these 
is that known as charbon, or malignant anthrax (see page 
276). In this country it is little to be dreaded in horses 
and sheep, but is quite destructive in oxen, and also in hogs. 
The second variety is almost peculiar to swine, and has been 



390 Diseases of Swine. 

called by Dr. Klein, of London, "contagious pnenrao- 
enteritis." 

The third is the malignant epizootic catarrh or influenza, 
which we have described in the sheep and horse (page 351), 
who suffer from it, at times severely, especially the former. 
AVe shall thus divide the maladies grouped popularly under 
the name " hog cholera " into — 

1. Charbon, antlirax or splenic fever. 

2. Contagious pneumo-enteritis. 

3. Epizootic catarrh. 

And we shall endeavor to give such distinguishing traits 
that they may be recognized one from the other, without 
difficulty. 

CHARBON IN SWINE —MALIGNANT ANTHRAX— SPLENIC FEVER- 
WHITE BRISTLE. 

We are aware that an authority of weight in this country, 
Prof. James Law, has denied the existence of charbon in 
swine. His essay was published by the United States Com- 
missioner of Agriculture, and has had an extensive distribution. 

Nevertheless, both from considerable jjcrsonal observation, 
and a careful study of the subject in authors, Ave believe Prof. 
Law to be in error. The only reason he gives for denying 
the existence of charbon is, tliat in the cases he witnessed the 
poison was not communicable to other animals. From his 
descriptions, it is clear that the disease he encountered, and 
for which he proposes the name " intestinal fever of swine," 
was contagious pneumo-enteritis, which Me shall shortly 
describe. 

The hog we believe to be subject to true anthrax, quite as 
much as the ox and sheep. The blood in these cases conveys 
the anthrax poison, as has been shown to be the case 
by M. Roche Lubin, in his admirable description of this 
disease, whicli he calls c/ta rbonneusc typhus ; for although his 



Oharbon and Anthrax. 



391 



inoculation failed in dogs, it was not the same with some 
sheep. They died a few days afterward, presenting all the 
symptoms and pathological lesions of true charbon fever 
(quoted by Mr. H. D. Richardson, Domestic Pigs, p. 123). 
We shall draw clearly the distinction between charbon and 
contagious pneumo-enteritis, as laid down by the distinguished 
recent investigator, Dr. Klein, of London, in the Proceedings 
of the Royal Society for 1878. 

True Charbon. ' Contagious Pneumo-enteritis. 



Period of incubation or lat- 
ency, from a few hours to 
three days. 

Easily transmissible to other 
species of animals. 

Spleen always enlarged and 
often broken down. 

Blood after death, dark and 
fluid. 

Bacillus anthracis in the 
blood. 



Lungs and bowels frequent- 
ly not implicated. Cough 
may be absent. 

The discoloration local, and 
of a true carbuncular appear- 
ance. 



Period of incubation from 
two to five days and more. 

Rarely and with difficulty 
transmitted to other s})ecies. 
Spleen rarely enlarged, or 
otherwise changed. 

Blood after death of ordin- 
ary appearance. 

Kg bacillus anthracis in the 
blood, but numberless bacilli 
in the serum of thorax and 
abdomen. 

Lungs and l)()^^•cls always 
6o^A inflamed. Cough always 
present. 

The red or 2)urple color 
diifused over the surface, and 
of an erysipelatous appear- 
ance. 

With the above table before him, it will not be possible 
for any ordinarily careful observer to confound the two 
diseases. No doubt there is a strong analogy between them, 
as, in both, diverse species of the same vegetable organism 
are the exciting cause of the contagion. 



;J92 jyiseaseit of Swine. 

The most common form of anthrax in pigs is that popu- 
larly known as " white bristle." The poison localizes itself 
in a carbuncular swelling, usually on the throat, presenting 
the features of color already described. The bristles on the 
spot turn white and brittle, whence the name just given. 
The swelling extends inward, involving the windpipe and 
gullet, causing difficulty of breathing and swallowing, and 
finally death by suffocation, in convulsions. 

In addition to this we occasionally see the true apoplectic 
or splenic form of charbon, and the variety which attacks the 
tongue and mouth, both of which have already been de- 
scribed as they occur in other animals (see pages 278, 344) ; 
but as they are of rare occurrence in pigs, and present no 
symptoms beyond those already given, except such as are 
owing to their localities, we need not describe them at length. 
They are both very acute and rapidly fatal, the apoplectic 
form often killing "like a shot," literally in less than a 
minute. 

The flesh of all animals dying of any form of this disease 
is ]>oisonous, and the blood and discharges capable not only 
of spreading the disease among others of the same species, 
but also, if inoculated into the human system, of bringing 
on that mortal malady, "malignant ^^tustule." 

Treatment. — This has been already discussed when 
si)eaking of charbon in cattle and braxy in sheep (see pages 
279, 345) and we need not repeat here the instructions 
there given. They apply, with such modifications as the size 
and habits of the animal render necessary, to swine. And as 
both charbon and contagious pneumo-enteritis, which will be 
next described, are due to a contagion essentially alike in 
character, we shall include the treatment of anthrax under 
that of the latter complaint. 



Forms of Ho(j Cholera. 893 

CeNTAGIOUS PTTETJMO-ENTEEITIS. 

Defiuition. — A specific, contagious inflammation of the 
lungs and bowels, accompanied with red or pnr[)le blotches 
on the skin. 

This is the disease known in Ireland as "red soldier," and 
in this country as tlie "purples" and "the blue disease." It 
is the most common and fatal form of the epidemic diseases 
classed under the popular name "hog cholera." 

Causes, — The predisposing causes of the disease are ex- 
tremes of temperature ; wet seasons ; damp, low-lying, 
swampy feeding grounds ; drinking water impregnated with 
decaying animal or vegetable substances ; close, filthy styes ; 
and above all, a sudden increase of concentrated, heating, 
highly-nutritious food, producing a plethoric state of the 
system, and a blood surcharged with incompletely trans- 
formed constituents. 

Such are the acknowledged predisposing causes ; whether 
they can originate the disease is a debatable question. In 
our opinion they cannot ; they can only lay the system open 
to an easy subjection to the subtle poison of the malady, 
which is floating in the atmosphere. This poison is almost 
certainly a vegetable germ, of extreme minuteness (see page 
276) ; and if it is such, the real cause of the disease can 
be contagion only, for the "spontaneous" origin of any form 
of animal or vegetable life has never yet been demonstrated. 

When the disease once enters a herd, its contagious 
character cannot be doubted, and all ages, sexes and condi- 
tions fall equally a prey to it. 

The precise nature of the contagion may noAV be said to 
have been definitely determined. The researches of Dr. 
Klein, in 1878, already alluded to, prove that pneumo- 
enteritis, is, like anthrax, due to a BdcUlus, a rod-like, 
minute vegetable organism, found, however, not in the blood, 



39 -i Diseases of Swine. 

as in anthrax, but in the serous fluids and tissues. The 
-Bacillus is in many observable respeets similar to the 
BaGiUus subtilis, seen in infusions of hay, but no doubt dif- 
fers from it in its life history. Dr. Klein applied the crucial 
test, by raising crops of these bacilli in fluids free from all 
other organisms, and having thus cultivated them through 
several generations, he inoculated healthy pigs "with this 
fluid, ^vith the result that in a few days they were taken 
down and died with well-marked pueumo-enteritis, present- 
ing all the symptoms of the disease, including its contagious 
nature. [Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1878.) 

Symptoms. — As in the other animals, the symptoms of 
the disease vary with the part of the animal attacked and 
the malignancy of the epidemic. To this fact we would 
especially call the reader's attention, so that he will not 
become confused by the varying aspects of the complaint. 
We shall describe them singly. 

1. The ordinary Erysipelatous Form. 

This is probably the most common of all the forms of the 
disease. The animal at first is dull, loses his appetite, lies 
down and moves unwillingly. Pie hangs his head, and 
sometimes jnakes efforts to vomit. The bowels at this time 
are generally constipated, the excrement being hard and dark 
colored ; cough and difiicult urination. 

The next day, or in a few hours, even, the characteristic 
symptom of the disease shows itself. This consists in the 
appearance of dark red or purple blotches, passing into a 
bluish-black color. Once seen, they cannot be mistaken. 
Their most frequent seats are the ears, throat, neck, lireast, 
and inside the fore legs. If he is a white hog, the discolor- 
ation is very visible. With these there is often a discharge 
from the nose, of a dark, purple fluid. Soon his breathing 
becomes panting and labored, he is palsied in his hind 



Contagious Pneumo-Enteritis. 395 

quarters, and if he is driven up, runs reeling, with his hind 
legs and his head dropped to the ground. At this stage, a 
fetid diarrhea sometimes sets in. The fatal termination is 
reached in one to three days. 

2. The Form of 3Ialignant Sore Throat. 

This occurs when the poison, instead of expending its vio- 
lence on the cellular tissues underneath the skin, attacks that 
beneath the lining membrane of the throat. 

The general symptoms at the commencement are the same ; 
and the appearance of the throat has that same deep red, 
passing into dark purple hue, which we have just noted in 
the erysipelatous variety. But the obstruction to the func- 
tions of breathing and swallowing naturally produce a train 
of characteristic synn:)toras not seen in the former case. 
There are attempts to vomit, difficulty in swallowing, and 
labored breathing from the first, the sensation of choking 
being so distressing that the animal will sit on its haunches, 
like a dog, gasping for breath, opening its mouth wide, and 
protruding a livid and swollen tongue. Sometimes the 
swelling about the larynx is so sudden and considerable that 
the animal is choked to death in less than an hour, and before 
hardly any other, symptom has had time to manifest itself 
(oedema of the larynx). 

Treatment. — When we turn to the important question of 
treatment, Ave find two parties, the one maintaining that no 
remedy has been or can be found for the disease; the other 
equally positive that treatment is often successful. The 
former are the scientific men, who too often form their idea 
of a disease from a theoretical study of it only ; the latter are 
practical men of moderate education, who have tried this or 
that receipt with satisfaction to themselves, but lack a broad 
experience. 

We fully believe that very many cases which M'ould other- 



39G Diseases of Sunne. 

wise die can be cured by medical attention, and we are certain 
that the progress of the contagion can very often be checked 
in a herd by the same means. 

I^et us suppose that what we have described as the predis- 
posing causes have been carefully removed, and wc turn to 
look for an agent to check the development of the virus. 
There are two such which present themselves with very large 
and positive testimony to their value. They are sulphate of 
iron (green vitriol, or copperas) and chlorate of jjotasJi. 

The sulphate of iron is at once the cheapest and the most 
effective of the iron salts used in veterinary medicine. It is 
antiseptic, and vitally invigorating ; and it has been proven 
to have a specific effect in increasing the firmness of the 
spleen and hastening the chemical changes of the blood. 

AVithout any knowledge of these properties, it is the chief 

and almost only important agent in most of the receipts 

which have been found actually efficacious in the disease of 

hogs which we are describing. Thus, one " infallible remedy," 

given by a Kentucky farmer, is — 

No. 440. Sulphate of iron. 1 lb. 

Warm water, 3 gallons. 

Apply milk-warm to the skiu of the affected animal, by repeated 
sponging or mopping. 

A somewhat celebrated recipe of Prof. J. B. Turner, of 
Illinois, is — 

No. 441. Flowers of sulphur, 

Sulphate of iron. 

Madder, of each, 2 lbs. 

Black antimony, 

Nitrate of potash, of eacli, i lb. 

Arsenic, 2 oz. 

Mix with 12 gallons of slop, and give a pint to each hog, this quan- 
tity being for 100 hogs. 

Another, from the same authority, is — 



(Jonfaffious Pneumo-EntevitiH. 397 

No 442. Common salt, 4 lbs. 

Black antimony, 

Flowers of sulpluir, 

Sulphate of iron, of each, 1 Ih. 

Wood ashes, nnleached, 1 peck. 

Mix thorougiily together, and put in a trough, where the hogs can eat 
it at will. 

If either of these is used before the hog is attacked, 
Prof. Turuer says it will positively prevent the disease ; 
and given freely in the early stages, it is curative. 

Another receipt, praised by Illinois farmers of large ex- 
perience, and differing little practically from the above, is — 

No. 443. Sulphate of iron, 2 lbs. 

Soft soap, 2 gallons. 

Boil with several gallons of water. 

This is to be added to slop enough for fifty hogs ; and as 
they come to the troughs containing it about two j)ounds of 
soda should be added, to have the slop foaming as th<y drink 
it. This dose should be repeated every three or four days, 
for three times. 

The second remedy is the chlorate of potash. Prof. Wil- 
liams says of the use of this in charbon : "A large ex- 
perience has taught me that the chlorate of potash is superior 
to all other medicines." Unfortunately, it is too dear for 
general use, costing at wholesale twenty-five to thirty cents 
per pound. Yet in special cases it may be used. 

No. 444. Chlorate of potash, 1 to 2 drachms. 

Water, J pint. 

Give in milk or slop, 3 or 4 times a day. 

The question of local treatment is an important one. It 
ia recommended to foment the swollen parts with hot water 
saturated with sulphate of iron at the outset. If gangrene 
has come on, equal parts of turpentine and sweet oil will 
have some chance of stimulating the surrounding tissues. In 
the carbuncular variety free incisions, and. dressing with 'car- 
bolic acid lotion, and cauterization with the hot iron, are 



398 Diseases of Swine. 

spoken of. But as the disease is a general one of the Llood, 
such medicines can have no great effect. 

If the pig cannot be persuaded to drink, it is not worth 
while to attempt to drench him ; rather, he should be killed 
and buried at once, as a hopeless case and sure to spread the 
infection. 

Much has been said in favor of the smart weed, Polygonum 
punctafum, as a preventive remedy. It is given freely, in 
strong decoction. This plant has long been familiar to phy- 
sicians, as a useful remedy in sore mouth, salivation, old 
ulcers, etc., and may well have some value in charbon. 

A spoonful of turpentine, every few days, is used in 
Western New York as a preventive ; and the free employ- 
ment of alkalies, as common unlcached wood ashes, is, no 
doubt., of advantage. The ashes can be sprinkled in the slop, 
or corn can be boiled in water in which a few handfuls have 
been thrown. Clean wood soot, from a chimney, or finely 
powdered charcoal are also of considerable efficacy. Any of 
these should be given two or three times a week, to hogs, 
when this form of "cholera" is in the neighborhood. 

Professor Law advises to separate a hog at once mIio shows 
any sign of sickness ; and if the symptoms of this disease 
appear, to kill and bury him forthwith, in order to prevent 
contagion. If, however, it is a valuable animal, and it is 
desired to treat him medically. Prof. I^aw would commence 
with a moderate purge, two or three ounces of castor oil, or 
a drachm or two of rhubarb. As soon as it operates, give — 

No. 445. Nitrate of potash, 

Bisulphite of soda, of each 20 grains. 

Mix for a dose, twice or three times a day. 

Charcoal should be given in the food or drink, and if the 
bowels become tender and swollen, twenty drops of turpen- 
tine, from time to .time. 

M. Roche Lubin, an eminent French veterinarian, to 



Forms of Hog Cholera. 390 

whom we have before referred, attributes tlie prevalence of 
the malady to faulty sanitary arrangements. The scourge 
will disappear when pigs are well cared for, placed in proper 
situations, with protection from the sun-and rain when they 
need it, well ventilated styes, and with clean bedding, often 
renewed. They should have free access to plenty of clean, 
fresh water, and their food should be properly regulated in 
quantity, and wholesome in quality. During the summer 
they should have from time to time, say once a week, some 
salt and nitre in their slop ; and both bitter and acid mixtures 
will be advantageous. When an animal is attacked, M. 
Lubin gives — 

No. 4-46. Powdered camphor, 10 grains. 

Nitrate of potash, 1 drachm. 

Calomel, 5 grains. 

To be mixed with gruel, or given in a boiled potato, three times a 
day. After the first day the calomel may be omitted. 

The red blotches should be rubbed with vinegar, and the 
drink soured with it. 

Major John S. Mellon, of St. Louis, has written a very 
sensible little treatise on this form of hog cholera. He thinks 
it arises either from contagion, or else from feeding with a 
too exclusive grain diet. His rules for its management are 
judicious ; they are substantially as follows : When the 
disease attacks a herd — 

1. Separate the sick from the well, 

2. Give both a free range in a woody pasture, if possible. 

3. Place within reach of both pulverized stone coal, or 
charcoal, and salt. 

4. Give them free access to plenty of water and clay, to 
wallow in. 

5. Feed both, particularly the sick, with plenty of turnips; 
or, if these are not to be had, with potatoes, artichokes, or 
any other roots they like. Corn should be withheld. 

He goes so far as to say that every hog thus treated, and 



400 Dl.'<r((ses of Sifine. 

not too sick to eat a full feed of turnips, -will certiwnly get 
well, and that no well hog, thus treated, and fed on turnips, 
will take the disease, even by contagion. 

Mr. Mellon believes that a too hi(/h!i/ stimulating diet is 
the chief cause of the presence of b«jth hog cholera and Texas 
cattle disease, in the Mississippi valley. Hence, acting on 
this principle, he claims to have cured the latter disease also 
"very promptly and certainly, by an exclusively watery 
diet, the best and most certiiin remedy being young corn in 
the milk. There is no danger of excess. The diseased herd 
may be safely turned into a field of young corn, and left to cure 
themselves, which they will do in a few days." If green 
corn cannot be procured, any other succulent food will 
answer the purpose. 

This opinion of the general causation of these diseases is 
largely correct, and deserves the attention of both hog and 
cattle breeders in the Mississippi valley and elsewhere. 

MALIGNANT EPIZOOTIC CATARRH. 

This disease, which, as we have seen (p. 351), is the 
most fatal of all among sheep in this country, is also ex- 
tremely destructive among hogs. For example, in the years 
1875 and 1876 it swept over Missouri, Illinois, and the 
neighboring States, killing a very large percentage of swine 
in that section, and attracting general attention by its un- 
checked devastations. 

In regard to its causes, they are to be divided, as in all of 
this class of diseases, into those which render the animal 
susceptible to the poison, and the jioison itself. Of the latter 
we have no positive knowledge. It is believed to be a float- 
ing germ, which develops and multiplies with extreme 
rapidity when it finds a soil which suits. Su(>h a soil is 
j)resented by the mucous lining membrane of hogs which 
have been kept in foul styes, and whose skins are dirty and 



Epizootic Catarrh, 401 

unhealthy, and thus incapable of performing the acts of 
perspiration. Also in those where the perspiration has beeu 
suddenly checked by exposure to showers, sudden changes of 
temperature, the chill night air, etc. By these means an 
excessive labor is forced on the inner membranes, and they 
are weakened and predisposed to disease. 

It has constantly been noticed that clean hogs, well 
washed, well housed, and well fed, hardly ever snccunib t(^ 
this disease, or, indeed, contract it at all. 

Symptoms. — As explained under this disease in sheep, the 
symptoms vary with the j^art of the mucous membrane most 
involved. This is even more noticeable in the hog. 

The first form is where the membrane which, commencing 
at the nostrils, continues to the windpipe and lungs, is the 
main scat of disease. Here the earliest symptoms are a 
short, hoirse cough, hoarseness in the squeal, and a difficulty 
of breathing, indicated by a panting motion of the flanks, 
and by holding the head in a peculiar, stretched and some- 
what drooping position. There is often some running from 
the nose, a slow gait, tottering or stiff, and signs of fever. 
jNIany make efforts to vomit ; generally there is constipation, 
but at times diarrhea. 

The second form has a short cough, but less marked, and 
there is less oppression in breathing. There is more decided 
weakness or palsy in the hind quarters, and the gait is more 
tottering. But as here the power of the poison is spent on 
the lining of the stomach and bowels, there is at first cos- 
tiveness, followed by a profuse and fetid diarrhea. The pain 
and soreness of the intestines are indicated by tlie animal 
arching its back, especially the loin portion, often to a very 
high degree. 

Together with these symptoms, there may be affection of 
the brain, indicated by partial or entire blindness, a stagger- 
ing gait and aimless movements ; or a sympathy of the 

26 



402 Diseases of Swine. 

]yirn)hatic system, shown by enlarged glands and scrofuloas 
ulcerations in different parts of the body. 

The duration of the disease is from five to fifteen days. In 
examining: tlie dead body the lining membranes of the nose 
and upper throat are always inflamed ; from them, the red- 
ness and swelling extend, in the first form, down the wind- 
pipe to the lungs, which are generally found inflamed and 
partially solidified. In the second form, the lining mem- 
branes of the intestines are generally inflamed and de- 
generated ; the spleen or milt is nearly always enlarged, dark 
and soft ; and the liver is generally diseased. Watery 
exudations in the belly and chest are also very common. 

Treatment. — Dr. H. J. Detmers, of Missouri, who has 
made a careful study of this disease, expresses the opinion 
that a great many sick animals can be saved by proper 
medical treatment. 

To accomplish this desirable result they must be separated 
from the herd, and provided with a clean, dry and well 
ventilated resting place, whore they can have pure air, clean 
water and good food. Eacli animal should take, as early in 
the disease as practicable, the following emetic : — 

No. 447. Powdered white liellebore, 15 to 20 grains. 

Millf, 2 pint. 

Mix for a fall -grown hog. 

Any hog not desperately sick will readily take this. 
When this has acted, and a couple of hours have elapsed, 
give two or three grains of tartar emetic, if the disease is 
principally in the lungs ; or the same amount of calomel, if 
it is in the bowels ; administering the medicine on a piece of 
boiled potato. This should be repeated two or three times a 
day, for several days, or until a change for the better is wit- 
nessed. 

Externallv, the lungs, in the one form, and the abdomen, in 



Epizootic Catarrh. 403 

the other, is to be rubbed with the following blistering oint- 
luent, as soon as the feverish symptoms abate : — 

No. 448. Powdered cantharides, 1 oz. 

Olive oil, 4 oz. 

Heat over a moderate fire, for half an hour. 

If the first application fails to produce a good blister, 
apply it again the next day. 

When convalescence begins, give from ten to twenty grains 
of the sulphate of iron every day for a few days ; and if the 
lungs have been much affected, add to the dose thirty or 
forty grains of carbonate of potash. 

Of other modes of treatment than those spoken of above, 
that recommended by Prof. N. S. Townshend, of Ohio, 
should be mentioned. This careful observer recommends, 
when the attack commences with copious and dark dis- 
charges from the bowels, to give at once — 

No. 449. Podophyllin, 20 grains. 

Bicarbonate of soda, 2 drachms. 

In a boiled potato, or in milk . 

If constipation is present, he would give — 

No. 450. Castor oil, 1 oz. 

Oil of turpentine, 1 drachm. 

In milk or gruel. 

He believes that in many cases the function of the liver is 
suspended, and that thus the blood is poisoned by the reten- 
tion of effete matters. These active purges are calculated to 
excite the organ into activity. 

APOPLEXY AND STAGGEKS. 

The hog, especially when phlcthoric and well fed, is liable 
to congestion of the brain, which may pass into actual effusion 
or apoplexy. 

In congestion only, which is popularly termed "staggers," 
the animal is dull and stupid, the eyes are red, the bowels 



404 JJisedses of Swine. 

constipated and the pulse hard and quick. These symptoms 
may pass off, or may increase, leading to a period of excite- 
ment from increased jiressure on the brain. The animal runs 
to and fro, often in a circle, hitting against objects, as if 
blind; the breathing is laborious, and he may fall down in an 
unconscious condition. 

In other cases, the effusion on the brain, or the apoplectic 
stroke, takes place without these premonitory symptoms. 
The" hog suddenly drops, as if struck on the head with a 
hammer, the limbs stiffen, the breathing is hard and snorting, 
and a froth exudes from the mouth. 

In either case the treatment is l)y prom|)t]y dashing cold 
water over the animal, and especially j)ouring it from a height 
of eight or ten feet on the head. The bowels should be 
stimulated by an active purgative injection, as — 



No. 451. Sulphate of magnesia, 


4 oz. 


Oil of turpentine, 


2 drachms. 


Soap suds. 


•J pint. 


Mix, for an injection. 





Bleeding may be performed from the ear, or from the 
jugular, if it can be reached. Bnt it is of no great benefit; 
and cutting a slit to the skull, and rul)bing the wound with 
salt, as well as liniments, blisters, etc., are all of no use 
whatever. The cold douche and the active injection are the 
remedies. 

COUGHS, COLDS, QUINSY, AND INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 

These associated diseases of the breathing organs are as 
common in the ])ig as in other domestic aniinals. 

For snuffles, or catarrh in the head, little is needed but 
stabling in a clean, dry pen, and cleanliness. There is, 
however, a chronic form of nasal gleet, called in some parts 
of the country " blue nose," which is said to be incurable, 
contagious, and very similar to glanders in the horse. We 



Coughs and Cold^. 405 

have never seen a case of this, and doubt its identity with 
olanders. The nose is said to thicken and become twisted, 
or out of shape, and the discliarge from it to be bloody, or 
to becom3 so on slight exertion. The owner would be on 
the safe side to destroy an animal thus diseased. 

An ordinary cold in a hog is called, in some States, a 
"rising of the lights," There is no propriety, whatever, in 
bleeding and purging for it, and following with tartar emetic 
or calomel, as the common run of books advise. Let the 
animal be well housed and fed, mustard flour moistened and 
rubbed into the throat and chest, and a tonic of sulphate of 
iron given. If these do not bring about rapid improvement, 
an ounce of tar should be given daily, by putting it well 
back in the mouth, by means of a narrow wooden paddle. 

When the inflammation extends to the lungs, causing 
pneumonia, the symptoms are : loss of appetite, quick and 
labored breathing, shivering and severe cough. This requires 
tlie same or greater care in stabling and diet ; while, as a 
medicine, the following may be administered : — 

No. 452. Nitrate of pntash. 

Bisulphite of soda, of each 2 drachms. 

Mix, and give in a pint of gruel. 

Mustard or a blister to the chest is also of service. 

Quinsy, or Strangles. — The inflammation of the glands in 
the throat (the tonsils), known by these names, is quite com- 
mon, and often fatal in hogs, through the rapid suffocation 
it causes. 

The symptoms arc : difficulty in breathing and swallowing, 
swelling under the neck and lower jaw, protrusion of the 
tongue, and slavering from the mouth. 

The disease is usually so rapid that treatment is of little 
avail. A copious injection should be given at the outset (such 
as No. 451) ; the pig should be cast and firmly held, while a 
number of scarifications are made in the skin of the tlu'oat, 



400 Diseases of Swine. 

over tlie swelling, with a sliarji-jwintcd knife, just deep 
enough to draw blood freely, and these should be fomented 
with cloths wrung out of hot water. 

Internally, the most reliable remedy is turpentine. Give 
it in swill, if the hog can swallow, in doses of two teaspoon- 
fuls in a bowl of gruel ; or, if he cannot, fasten a feathei' to 
the end of a stick, dip it in a mixture of half turpentine and 
half oil, and with it swab the inside of the thront as far as 
can be conveniently reached. 

DIAERHEAL DISEASES. 

Scouring or diarrhea is an affection chiefly of quite 
young pigs, in the first week or two of life, and often proves 
fatal to them. Its cause is usually the bad quality of the 
sow's milk. This should be amended by giving her a change 
of diet, and avoiding dry and S})oiled corn and musty food. 
The ]X'n should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily, 
as the odor of the diarrheal excrement tends to keep alive the 
disease. 

The treatment must be largely directed to the sow. Her 
food should be changed, and she should be given the follow- 
ing : — 

No. 453. Fenugreek, powdered, 

Aniseed, " of each 2 lbs. 

Gentian, " 1 lb. 

Carbonate of soda, 2 oz. 

Chalk, powdered, 2 lbs. 

Give a tablespoonful of this in the food, every time she is fed. 

Coal ashes should be placed in the pen, for the pigs to root 
in. Oats, wheat and barley, ground together, make an 
excellent food for the sow at this time. Charcoal and salt, 
in small quantities, may be given. 



SrrrUhvj of fhr f<plcen. 407 

AGUE CAKE— MILT SWELLING— SPLENITIS. 

Like cattle, hogs which live in swampy, malarious dis- 
tricts are quite liable to an enlargement of the spleen or 
milt, and a failure to fatten, in consequence of it. It is 
also believed to be brought on at times by over-feeding, with 
little or no exercise, as in the case of "show" pigs. In 
France this disease is called "/« ratillc," and has receivc;d 
considerable attention, as it so often interferes with the fat- 
tening of hogs for market. In itself, it is not often, or at 
all, ])roductive of fatal consequences. 

S3fIUptOI](lS. — There is a perceptible loss of condition; the 
])ig eats, but his food "does him no good," as the breeders 
say; his appetite is rather capricious and irregular ; he is 
dull and languid. When further advanced, he is noticed to 
lie nearly or quite always on one side, and in walking leans 
toward one side, sometimes cringing and bending over, as if 
the erect position gave internal pain. 

Treatment. — This sliould begin with a brisk purge. 
Twenty grains of podophyllin, or ten of jalap and ten of 
cjilomel, may be enclosed in a boiled potato, and given 
fasting. The diet should bo lowered, and when possible the 
animal put to graze on a dry u})land. The French 
veterinarians praise highly, especially in cases where this 
complaint comes on while fattening, and interferes Avith that 
process, the following : — 

No. 454. AVormwood leaves, 

Liverwort " of each, I lb. 

Boil slowly in a gallon of soft water, for half an liour. 

This may be given in slop, in doses of half a pint to a 
pint daily. The liverwort is the Hcpatica triloba, and is 
found in most parts of this country. 

In preparing to fatten after an attack, it must 1)C done 



408 Di.scaws of Sir inc. 

gradually ; and the special advice is given to feed at regular 
intervals, and always remove ichatever food is left from each 
meal. 

LEPROSY. 

Under this name the French and English veterinarians 
have described a disease to which hogs are subject, especially 
in very hot seasons. Its tendency is fatal, and it is believed 
to be contagious. Owing to the absurd habit in this country 
of calling all epidemics among hogs by the name of 
"cholera," and the very superficial way in which the 
maladies of the animal have been studied, y\e cannot posi- 
tively say whether this so-called leprosy has a foothold in the 
United States or not, but some descriptions have led us to 
think that it has. 

Causes. — These are want of cleanliness, absence of fresh 
air and clean water, foul feeding, and general neglect of the 
animal's health ; a^ second cause is contagion from those 
already suffering. 

Symptoms. — According to a learned French veterinarian, 
M. Dupray D' Emportes, one of the very earliest symptoms 
of this complaint is the formation of a small tumor or 
blister, like a stye, on the edge of the eye. Other such lobsters 
appear soon, around the mouth, in the throat, under the jaws, 
and finally over the whole body. Great prostration ac- 
companies the disease ; the head is held down ; the whole 
frame inclines toward tire ground ; the animal moves un- 
willingly, and with pain ; food is refused, and loss of flesh 
is rapid. Death follows, from emaciation and exhaustion. 

Any reader at all versed in medicine will see that these 
are not the symptoms of lej^rosy, but rather of some form of 
malignant pemphigus. But its exact determination we leave 
to those wlio have opportunities to observe it. 



Trichina. 409 

Treatment. — The treatment recommended is, to place the 
animal in a cool, clean, well ventilated stye, with plenty of 
fresh Avater for him to drink and bathe in. For a medicine, 

Ko. 4j4. Flour of sulphur. l- oz. 

Nitrate of potash, 1 drachm. 

Give in a hran mash, twice a day. 

His skin slionld be cleaned with soap and water, and the 
sores dressed with tar ointment. 

TRICHINOSIS. 

The Trichina sj^irahs is a minute parasite that infests the 
flesh of several animals, especially the hog ; and as it is very 
tenacious of life, it is, from eating pork, occasionally trans- 
ferred to man, in whom it produces serious and sometimes 
fatal illness. 

The trichina is said to be not uncommon in American 
pork, and in several European markets our exportations of 
this staple have met with less favor on this account ; but the 
facts are that German pork is quite as much infected as our 
own. 

The trichina is believed to inhabit the body of animals at 
all stages of its existence ; and hence swine fed exclusively 
on vegetable diet are not liable to them ; while, on the other 
hand, those permitted to eat the offal from slaughter houses^ 
carron, rats, mice and decaying animal matter generally, are 
usually more or less infected with trichina, and Ibrm a dan- 
gerous article of food for the table. 

The trichina is exceedingly small, about the twelfth or 
fifteenth of an inch in length, and in its miniature state lives 
in minute cysts in the muscles. They increase with amazing 
rapidity, several hundred thousand congregating in an ounce 
of flesh; and when thus numerous, they give rise in man to 
symptoms closely resembling those of typhoid fever. The 
mature worm escapes into the intestine, where they pair, the 



410 Diseases of Swine. 

female bringing forth a numerous brood of larva', who find 
their way to the muscles. 

The hog does not appear to suffer from the trichina; and 
its presence in his l)ody can therefore only be ascertained by 
a microscopic examination of the flesh. 

No remedy has been discovered capable of destroying 
trichinie, when once encysted in the muscles. The free 
administration of ergot has the most to be said in its favor. 
But as the trichina? are effectually killed by thorough cook- 
ing, it is a prudent precaution to insist that pork, in all its 
forms, when served for food, should be thoroughly icell done, 

HYDATIDS OF THE KIDNEYS— KIDNEY WCKMS— LARD "WORMS. 

The kidneys of hogs, and the fat which surrounds them, 
are liable to become the home of various j^arasites. 

One of the most frequent of these is the lard-worm, 
tSfrphaiiKnis dentatus, which is an inch or an inch and a half 
in length, and inhabits by preference the fat about the s])are 
ribs, but is found in all parts of the body of swine. It is, 
however, more a curiosity than a subject for medical treat- 
ment, as it is not known that it causes any serious symi^toms 
in the animal. 

The kidney itself has been known to be inhabited by a 
larger worm, of similar appearance, called the EHstrongt/lus 
ffiffas. It is not found in the substance of the kidney 
itself, but in the pelvis or hollow curved portion in 
Avhich the secretion of urine takes place. Various symptoms 
are popularly attributed to "kidney worms," especially a 
weakness or partial palsy of the hinder limbs, inclination to 
lie down, and awkwardness in the gait. The cure is said to 
be to Y)OUY a tablespoonful of turpentine across the loins or 
small of the back daily, for several days. It is quite uncer- 
tain, however, that in such cases there is any worm present^ 



Kidney Worriv<. 411 

as \ve luivc no positive symptoms of" its existence in the 
kidney. 

Of ji much more serious character are hydatids or bladder 
Avorms in the kidneys. These differ from those shortly to he 
described as causing " measly " pork, being much larger, arnd 
of unknown development. A number of cases are recorded 
by Prof. N. S. Townshend, in tlie Annual Reports of tlie 
Ohio Agricultural Society, for 1875, "where the sudden death 
of hogs, with few and obscure symptoms, was found to be 
owing to the presence of these parasites. They were from 
one to one and a half inches in diameter, and the kidney and 
bladder contained blood. If it were possible to ascertain 
their existence in the kidney, steady, moderate doses of tur- 
pentine would be the most promising treatment. Perhaps 
the altered character of the urine which Prof. Townshend 
notes, M'ould have led a closer observer than the farmer M'ho 
owned the pigs to a suspicion of the nature of the complaint. 

MEASLES. 

The name "measles" has been given to a parasitic disease 
of swine, not that it resembles in the most remote degree the 
familiar malady known in the human species by that name, 
but because the flesh of hogs so affected bears a fancied 
resemblance to the human skin with the eruption of measles 
on it. 

This appearance of pork is owing to the presence of num- 
erous small cysts, about the size of a grain of barley, scattered 
through the muscular and other tissues. These cysts, when 
closely examined, are found to contain a small worm, called 
the bladder worm, folded up in a coil, and composed of 
inmierous segments, each of Mhich segments is, in fact, an 
independent individual. AVhat is more remarkable is that 
the minute worm is nothing else than the miniature form of 
that redoubtable occasional inhabitant of the human intes- 



412 Diseases of Swine. 

tines, the tapeworm. When measly pork is eaten, not 
sufficiently cooked to destroy these })arasites, one or juore of 
them develops in the human bowels into a row of creatures, 
commonly believed to be one worm, often ten, twenty or 
thirty feet in length. 

The cysts do not seem materially to injure the hog; during 
life, though their presence can occasionally be detected by 
examining the lining membrane of the eye, or that under the 
tongue. In most if not all cases the animal swallows the 
eggs, which develop into cysts, by feeding on human excre- 
ment, or on pastures where this excrement has been used for 
manure. As this is the evident means of the propagation 
of the parasite, the preventive measures demanded are self- 
evident. 

The symptoms which are attributed to measles are a 
cough, discharge from the nose, running from the eyes, 
weakness of the hind legs, and general debility. On the 
skin there will be found a number of small watery 2)ustules 
of a reddish color. The treatment recommended is to give 
small doses of sulphur and saltpetre, daily for several weeks 
together Mdth a liberal supply of wholesome, nutritious, and 
easily-digested food. 

THE MANGE, ITCH, OR SCAB. 

In spite of their generally filthy habits, this is a less 
serious disease in pigs than in sheep (see jxige 383). True 
mange in them is caused by the presence of the Sarcoptes 
suis. It is transmissible to man, and for that reason, as well 
as for the annoyance it gives the hog, it should ba removed 
without delay. 

This can be successfully accomplished by first soaping the 
animal well with soft soap, and after this has been on an 
hour or so, washing it off with warm water. After he has 
dried, one of the following ointments should be rubbed in :— 



Treatment of 2Iange. 41)1 



No. 455. Flowers of sulphur, 
Oil of lurpentiae, 
Lard, 






4 oz. 
1 cz. 

8 oz. 


Mix thoroughly. 








Or: 








Xo. 456. Powdered stavesacre, 
Olive oil, 
Lard, 






2 vz. 
1 cz. 
8 oz. 


Mix together. 








Or the following -wash : — 








No. 457. Flowers of sulphur, 
Quick lime, 
Water, 






2 U.S. 
lib. 
2 gallons'. 


Boil together, stirring continually, 
bined. 


until 


the 


ingredients arc com- 



Mr. H. D. Richardson, in his treatise on Domestic PigSy 
says he has never known any case of mange, however 
obstinate, that would not yield to the following treatment : 
He washes the animal with soft soap and warm water, dries 
it, and then applies this ointment : — 

No 458. Train oil 1 pint 

Oil of tar 

Oil of turpentine, of each 2 drachms. 

Petroleum 1 drachm. 

Mix with sufficient flour of sulphur to make a thick paste. 

Rub the animal with this mixture and lot it remain on 

his skin for three days. On the fourth day wash it off with 

strong soap suds or soda water, dry him and change his bedding. 

Internally, let him have in liis food, for a fortniglit from 

the time the treatment commences, the following powder : — 

No 459. Flour of sulphur 2 oz. 

Nitrate of potash 1 drachm'. 

Mix for a powder. 

LICE, 

These disgusting parasites abound on ill-fed and lialf- 
sick hogs. Indeed, their presence may almost be stiid to be 
a sian that the animal is out of condition. It is not suffi- 



414 Disease^s of Swine. 

cient, therefore, to destroy them with an insecticide ; if the 
cure is expected to be permanent, the animal must be kept 
clean, well fed, and supported with tonics, such as sulphate 
of iron, if occasion demand it. 

As a safe and efficient ointment to kill lice we may use 
scotch snuff, rubbed up with lard ; or the following : — 

No. 4G0. Stavesacre seeds 4 oz. 

"White hellebore 1 oz. 

Water 1 gallon. 

Boil to two quarts, and ajiply with a brush where lice are seen. 

Kerosene is also very destructive to lice, and may be 
freely sponged over the animal. 



PART IV. 



Hygiene and Medicines. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE HYGIENE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 

Hygiene of the Horse. Food — Drink — Cleaning — Ventila- 
tion — " Condition Fotvders." 
Disinfection — Receipts for Disinfectants. 
Hygienic Rules in the Fatiemng of Animals. 
"Cattle Povxiers,^' and " Condimental Foods.^' 
Diets for Fattening. 

The purposes for Mliich, domestic animals are kept diifer 
widely when we consider the horse on the one hand, and on 
the other the steer, cow, sheep and hog. The former is 
prized for its capacities for speed and transportation only ; 
the latter chiefly as they furnish food to man. Hence, the 
hygienic treatment of the two classes materially differ. It is 
alike, however, in this respect, that is, that it is designed in 
both cases to obtain, at the least outlay of care and money, 

(415) 



41(j Hygiene and Medicines. 

tlio utmost fitness for the purpose for which the animal is 
kept. 

IIYGIEXE OF THE HORSE. 

Food, — The hygiene of the liorse lias reference first to his 
food. As we have previously mentioned, the horse has but 
one stomach, and that not at all a large one for liis size. 
Hence he requires food in moderate quantity, but frequently, 
at least every four or five hours. In regard to quality, he is 
best suited by a mixed diet cf grain and hay. In propor- 
tion as the work demanded of him is arduous the proportion 
of the grain (whether corn, oats, peas or beans) should be 
increased ; whereas, when the work is not severe, and when, 
as in private carriage horses, it is desirable that they should 
present a roundness and }>lumpncss of form, it is necessary 
to diminish the amount of grain, or otherwise the animal 
becomes plethoric, and "out of condition." 

Attention must also be given, in this respect, to the indi- 
vidual constitution of the horse. Some animals are said to 
be more "easily kept" than others. This usually.depends on 
the greater perfection of their digestive organs. They as- 
similate all the nutriment there is in their food; while a horse 
which is "hard to keep" will generally be found to pass witli 
his evacuations a considerable percentage of undigested ali- 
ment. A remedy for the latter condition Avill oftcli be 
found in selecting food of a rather constipating character, 
giving it well ground, so that the digestive fluids will act on 
it easily, keeping the teeth in good repair, allowing but a 
moderate quantity of water, and if called for, by administer- 
ing a light tonic. A very important point in such cases is to 
keep the skin active, by brushing, washing and clipping. 

Those who would raise a fine breed of horses should pay 
especial attention to the food of mares during pregnancy. 
Messrs. Seller & Stephens, in their excellent treatise on 



Hygiene of the Horse. 417 

Tlie Physiology of the Farm, lay it down as a Avell estab- 
lished fact that any, even a temporaryj failure in tlic quantity 
or quality of the food of the dam at this period Avill surely 
jn'ove the source of some one or another defect of the foal, 
and perhaps lay the foundation for some serious vice of the 
constitution, which may affect its value throughout life. 
The food should not be ricli, nor fattening, as a condition of 
plethora or obesity is always injurious to the lotus ; yet tlie 
nourishment should be somewhat more abundant than in the 
ordinary condition. Moderately rich pastures, fairl}- set in 
any of the better class of grasses in summer, and clean, 
well cured hay, with medium quantities of grain in winter, 
should be the diet of the pregnant marc. 

Drinh. — The average horse varies in the amount of water he 
will consume daily, from two buckets to five or six. It sliould 
be given at regular intervals and those not far apart. Three 
times a day is not frequently enough. Double that fre- 
quency would be more correct. AMien the horse is in active 
use he should not be allowed to drink to repletion at any 
time, except in the evening, after tlie day's work is done, 
and when the hide has cooled to the ordinary temperature. 

The water selected should be pure, soft, and cool. Hard 
water, howe^'er, agrees well Avith horses whicli are accus- 
tomed to it, and their bowels are as apt to be disturbed on 
changing to soft water as are those of animals accustomed to 
the latter when first placed upon that which is hard. Es- 
pecial care should be taken that the water does not contain 
decaying animal or vegetable matter. Various instances 
have been reported where whole stables have been sickened 
by Avater containing these organic impurities. 

Cleaning. — All horses are better for cleanliness, both as res- 
pects their stables and their coats. When well groomed, the 
secretion of theskin is more active, and the internal organs are 
not nearly so liable to congestion. An exception to this is 

27 



418 Hygiene and Medicines. 

nuide by some liorsenien, when a horse lias been driven 
through niiiddy roads. It appears that it is better to allow 
the mud to dry on his coat before removing it, and then not 
comb or wash it off, but remove it by brushing only ; other- 
wise the skiu is liable to crack. (See page 211). 

Ventilation. — In many stables, especially in cities, there is 
great neglect of proper ventilation. The air in the stalls in the 
morning is close, hot and foul. Consequently, the animals easily 
take colds and sore throats, and recover slowly. Fresh and 
pure air is one of the greatest safeguarcjs to the health of the 
lower animals, as of man, and often attention to this alone 
will do away with the need of tonics and condition powders. 
It is unnecessary to enter into the various details of ventila- 
tion, as their excellence often depends upon the structure 
and position of the particular building. 

"CONDITION POWDERS." 

Under this name large quantities of secret preparations are 
sold throughout the country, the avowed object of which is 
to restore to visor horses which are '' out of condition," and 
to increase the appetite and fattening capacities of stall-fed 
steers, sheep, etc. The great majority of these ])owdcrs do 
more harm than good. They arc composed of stimulating 
and heating substances, and indiscreetly administered, by 
persons ignorant of their composition, they often give for a 
time a fallacious appearance of health and vigor to the animal, 
followed by prostration and disease. We warn against their 
use, and will here give simple and efficient substitutes for 
them, which can be bought at much less cost. 

But, first, let us inquire what Ave mean by saying that an 
animal is "out of condition?" The term is applied to two 
very different states of the system. 

One, and the more common, is where the animal has been 
Avell fed and cared for, and is sleek and seemingly robust. 



Condition Powdo's. 419 

But he becomes capricious about liis food, the appetite is 
variable and generally lessened, the eye is dull, and sometimes 
yellowish and bloodshot, the motions languid, there is an 
absence of " fire," the bowels arc bound, the dung dry, the 
temper is irritable, and there is a general want of " tone." 
Now, this is nothing else than what medical men call a state 
of "plethora; " there is a formation of superfluous blood and 
fat, owing to a too rich and abundant diet, and an insuffi- 
ciency of exercise and pure air. Usually medicine of any 
kind is superfluous. If the diet is changed to a poorer one, 
and diminished in quantity, and if abundance of exercise is 
given, these symptoms will soon pass away. If they do not, 
small doses of aloes (2 to 4 oz.) should be given twice a 
week ; and an ounce of saltpetre placed in the water about 
as often. These agents act on the bowels and kidneys, and 
will soon relieve the overloaded system. 

The second form of loss of condition is seen in hard-worked 
and often underfed horses. The coat is rough and staring, 
the skin dry and harsh, often hide-bound, the bowels are 
irregular, and the strength diminished. Even good care and 
food may fail to bring back the vigor and spirit of the animal. 
What now is to be done? The treatment is suggested 
by the cause of this impairment of the health. Nearly 
always it is a forju of indigestion. The secretory organs 
must first be restored to activity. The coat should be brushed, 
clipped and washed; an ounce of saltpetre should be given 
every other day, in a mash, to excite the kidneys ; the bowels 
cleaned out with a moderate dose of aloes ; and soft, easily 
digested food o;iven. If this does not briu"; the animal to 
condition in a fortnight, then we should have recourse to 
that wonderful tonic for the equine race, arsenic. 

This powerful drug has been greatly abused in veterinary 
medicine; but it is of the utmost value in many cases, and 
this is one of them. It may be given in one-ounce doses of 



420 Hygiene and Jlcdicines. 

Fowler's solution of arsenic, every other day ; or, in many 
instances, it works still more efficaciously if combined with 
iodide of potash — 

ITo. 401. Fowler's solution of arsenic, l oz. 

Iodide of potash, •!(./>. 

Water, 1 jiint. 
Mix into a draught, with water or gruel. 

Of the various condition ])Owdcrs Avhich have been recom- 
mended, many are hurtful, on account of the warm and bitter 
tonics they contain. Scientific practitioners do not approve 
of these additions, and they should be avoided with especial 
care when the animal is changing its coat. At times, as 
stimulants to the general functions, we may use one of the 
followiug ; but none of them should bo continued for a length 
of time, nor repeated very frequently : — 



No. 4)2. Flowers of sulphur. 




Cream of tartar, 




Saltpetre, of each 


} oz. 


Mix, and give in the food. 




No. 463. Black antimony, 


Mh. 


Flowers of sulphur, 


2 lbs. 


Common salt. 


lib. 


Powdered liquorice^ 


}. Jb. 


Fenugreek, 


ilb. 



Mix. Give a tablespoonful every day or two. This is an old formula, 
and an example of a ki.id which lias been much overpraised. 
Black antimony is an unci rtain, coarse drug, not at all deserving of 
its reputation in veterinary medicine. 

No. 404. Sulphurated antimony, 1 oz. 

Nitrate of potash, 8 oz. 

Flowers of siilpliur, 12 oz. 

Mix, and give a tablespoonful every 2 or 3 days. Tiiis anlimonial 
preparation is superior to the one above given. 

Other materials of local popularity in the stable are nu- 
merous. In Eastern Pennsylvania, one of the most prized 
is the Virginia snakeroot {ArisfoIocJiia serpcnfaria), a tonic 
and stinuilant indiw'enous vey'etable, often used as a house- 
Jiold rcmcdw A cold infusion is prepared by steeping a 



Condition Powders. 421 

handful in a quart of water, and a tumblerful is poured over 
the grain or liay once a day. 

Another favorite is willow bark. The inner baric of the 
young shoots is boiled in the proportion of a handful to the 
quart of water, and a tumblerful of this administered daily. 
As the willow bark contains the bitter principle known as 
salicin, which is an excellent tonic and appetizer, no doubt 
this is an efficient plan to correct dull and drooping horses. 

In the army gunpowder had the reputation of being a 
j)owerfnl stimulant for horse flesh, and occasionally we have 
heard of a spoonful being mixed with the forage, to instill 
life into broken-down nags. As all the materials of which 
it is composed, the nitre, the charcoal and the sulphur, arc 
well known and often-used stimulants and correctives in 
veterinary medicine, their combination may, very likely, 
have a happy effect. It is recommended to mix the gun- 
powder with the whites of several eggs, and give it as a 
drench. 

Whichever of these tonics is used, it should not be often 
repeated, as such a course will surely bring about obstinate 
dyspeptic troubles, and general deterioration of the health. 

DISINFECTION. 

For the prevention of diseases, especially for checking the 
spread of epidemic disea.ses, no measure is more important 
than thorough disinfection. Every stable, every farm, should 
have in store, and freely use, some disinfecting mixture. It 
should be constantly employed as a preventive of disease, as 
a purifier of the air and of the discharges, and often as a means 
of keeping away flies and insects. We give below the formulas 
of a number of the most efficient and cheap disinfectants, so 
that the reader can buy the materials and make the mixtures 
himself, and thus save the increased cost he would have to 
pay by buying them ready made. 



422 Jlyyiene and Medicines. 

It ]i IS l)cen found by exjjerieiice tliat no one substance acts 
so cffcc'tu'-illy by itself as it docs iu combination or sokxtion. 
The following are in the solid form of ])Owders : — 

No. 465. Copperas (siilpliate of iron), 300 pirts. 

I'lasler-of'-Puris, ground, lOO purls. 

Carbolic acid, 2 parts. 
Mix well together. 

No. 4'j(3. Copperas, 20 parts. 

Wliito vitriol, 1 part. 

Plas.er-of-Paris, 30 parts. 
Mix. 

No. 4G7. Copperas, 6 lbs. 

C^omnion salt, 4 lbs. 

Flowers of sulpliur, 2 lbs. 

!Mix. This costs about 14 cents per pound. It has been sold as the 
Excelsior disinfectant. 

No. 408. Air-slacked lime, 1 bushel. 

Copperas, 1 lb. 

Carbolic acid, i lb. 

Mix. Tliis has been sold as " carbolate of lime." It costs about 50 
cents a bushel. 

The following are in the liquid form : — 

No. 409. Chloride of aluminum, 1.] lbs. 

Water, 1 gallon. 

Dissolve. This is known as " chloralum," and was introduced by 

Prof. Gamgee. It is not poisonous, and has no smell. The cost is 

about 50 cents. 

No. 470. White vitriol (zinc sulphate) 1 oz. 

Carbolic acid, I oz. 

Water. 1 gallon. 
Mix. A cheap and efEcient disinfecting wash. 

^ No. 471. Sulphate of iron, 16 oz. 

Chloride of zinc, 8 oz. 

Water, 1 gallon. 

Dissolve. This is a powerful disinfectant. Cost about $1.00 per 
gallon. A pint of it, mixed with a gallon of water, is abundantly 
strong enough. It is poisonous. 



Hygiene of FaUeninr/. ' 423 

HYGIENIC RULES FOR THE FATTENING OF ANIMALS. 
The farmer and stock raiser will economize his food 
supply, and have his stock ready for market sooner, by pay- 
ing attention to the physiology of the f:ittening process and 
the chemistry of food. It is not a part of our present task 
to enter into a di.vrjiision of these questions, but there are 
certain points relating to the preservation of the health, of 
animals at su( h times which we shall touch upon, and which 
it is of essential importance for stock owners to consider. 

Regularity in tlie hours of giving food is one of the secrets of 
success in economically fattening animals. The digestive 
organs become accustomed to doing their work at recurrent 
intervals, and tlicy enjoy a period of repo3e between these 
periods, which fits them the better to perform iheir function 
when called upon. The English rule in fattening oxen is to 
feed four times a day, usually at 7, 10, 2 and 6 o'clock. 

Reo-ularity in the quantity of f.)od is anotiicr secret. 
About the same amount of labor should be demanded of the 
stomach at each daily period of feeding. To fatten an ox, 
the English estimate is, that he requires, at first, five, and 
later four ])er cent, of his weight of cured hay or mixed food 
per day. This amount should be divided equally in four 
meals. 

Abundance of fresh air and moderate exercise should not 
be neglected. We are aware that many of the farmers of 
the Eastern States, celebrated for their stall-fed cattle, chain 
them in dark stalls for months at a time, without paying any 
attention to the precepts we speak of. It is also true that, 
thus shut up, the animals lay on fat faster than they would 
if allowed the range of the barn yard. But it is also a fact 
that experience has over and over proven that such animals 
are peculiarly liable to fatal contagious disorders, and the 
extra less so entailed will more than counterbalance, in the 
lone: run, the food economized bv this })lan. 



424 Hygiene and Medicines. 

The wisest of all systems of fattening is by keejiing the 
animals in what the English call hammels, that is, small 
pens to accommodate two oxen, one-half of which is roofed 
and walled, so as to afford entire protection from inclement 
weather, while the other half is open. The animals are 
tlius in a measure isolatod from contagion ; they have abun- 
dance of fresh and pure air; and while they have just enougli 
room to obtain this, they are sufficiently confined to prevent 
them wastlno; their fat in runnino-. 

When, through stall feeding, an animal becomes plethoric? 
loses his appetite, and the food taken does not increase the 
weight as it should, it is well to change the character of the 
food to a plainer kind, for twj or three days, and give an 
alterative powder, as — 

No. 472. Nitrate of potash, 

Sulphur, in powder, 

Ginser, of each, 2 oz. 

Mix. Ciive in molasses and water. For a steer. 

AVhen the appetite improves, small quantities of food, at 
regular intervals, should be offered, and if any is left in the 
manger, it should at once be removed. 

CATTLE POWDERS AND CONDIMENTAL FOOD. 

Various "cattle powders" and "fattening powders" are 
sold throughout the country, claiming to increase the deposit 
of fat in animals, and thus economize the food supply. 

They are always composed of much the same materials, 
variously di.sguised, to wit : of some of the stomachic and car- 
minative seeds — aniseed, carraway seed, fennel seed, coriander 
seed, ginger or mustard seed ; of some vegetable tonic — as 
gentian, Virginiasuake root, willow bark, cascarilla, etc. ; of 
oneor more of the alteratives — sulphur, nitrate of potash, com- 
mon salt, etc. ; and perhaps of a mineral tonic, as copperas ; the 
wdiole colored with turmeric and mixed with meal. As the fla- 



Condimental Food,. 425 

vor is agreeable to cattle, they eat their food with more eager- 
ness when thus spiced, and the compound seems to restore their 
appetite wlien it has been failing. The tonics and alteratives 
may also act, occasionally, favorably f»;i the system ; but, as 
we have previously urged, the habitual use of any such mix- 
tures will entail unfortunate results on the health of the stock. 
In England fortunes have been made by selling what are 
called "condimental foods." These are ground feeds of 
various kinds, to which palatable and stimulating sub- 
stances have been added. Plorses, cattle and sheep con- 
sume them greedily; and added to their ordinary provender 
from time to time, their use is no doubt often productive of 
benefit ; but by no means to the extent that the exaggerations 
of their advertisers would have us believe. The general 
composition of these foods may be seen from the folh^wing 
receipt, which is given by Dr. Charles A. Cameron, in his 
Stock Fecd<'r\ Ilamud, as making a mixture equal, if not 
superior, to any secret combination for the pur]iose there is in 
the market. The quantities given make one ton : — 

No. 473. 



Linseed 


meal, 


800 lbs, 


Grround beans, 


925 «' 


Indian cmn meal, 


433 " 


Powdered turmeric, 


30 " 


" 


ginger, 


3 " 


(1 


fenugreek, 


2 " 


u 


gentian. 


10 " 


" 


coriander seed, 


2 '■ 


Cream c 


if tartar, 


20 " 


Flowers 


of sulphur, 


10 " 


Common salt, 


o " 



2:U0 
DIETS FOR FATTENING. 



The direct use of fats and oils has been found, in England, 
to be a great aid to the speedy and economical fattening of 
animals. An ounce of fish oil, daily, to a sheep or pig, or a 
half pint to a steer, will increase the accumulation of fat so 



420 Jli/r/lene and Medicines. 

rapidly that the cost of the substance is imicli more than re- 
turned to the owner. Probably any of the mild fixed oils, 
as linseed, lard, or cotton seed oil, will ansM'er as well, and as 
in some sections they are very cheap, the use of them should 
be encourao'ed. Oil cake is an excellent fattenino; material. 
As a healthful and typical fattening mixture for the ox, 
Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert recommend the following : — 

No. 47-1. Crushed oil cake, 8 lbs. 

Chopped clover hay, 13 lbs. 

Turnips, 47 lbs. 

This amount is given daily, in four divided portions, to an 
ox weighing about fourteen hundred pounds, and will in- 
crease him in weight at the rate of twenty jiounds ])er week. 

In feeding Indian corn or peas it is important to give 
pigs a supply of some mineral substance, the grain not con- 
taining sufficient for keeping them in a healthy condition. 
Their breathing becomes labored, and they become 
"bloated," with occasionally local swellings of the glands at 
the sides of the neck. For this, Mr. Harris reconnnends 
tliat a trough containing the following mixture be ])laced in 
the pen, and the pigs be allowed to take it as they wish : — 

No. 475. Finely-sifted coal ashes, 20 lbs. 

Common salt, 4 lbs. 

Superphospliate of lime, 1 lb. 

In all cases they should have an abundance of pure water 
to drink, be kept clean by washing and change of litter, 
weekly, and have a stye with a tight roof, to protect them 
from \\\e sun and storms. Instead of a nuid hole to wallow 
in, there should be a heap of dry coal ashes, charcoal, or 
clean, dry earth, in one corner of the pen. This will keep 
them free from lice and fleas. 

A frequent mistake is in giving too nuich food at once. 
Doul)le the quantity of food is often required to fatten an 
animal, when it is given irregularly, and in large quantities. 
8mall amounts at regular intervals are far jnore economical. 



Treatment of Polsoniug. 427 

CHAPTER II. 

POISONS AXD THE TREATMENT OF POISONING. 

General Rales for tJte Treatment of Poisoning. 

Vegetable Poisons: — Aloes — Castor and Croton Seeds — Dis- 
emed and Spoiled Foods — Eupatorium — Hellebore — Laurel 

Poisonous Ilushroooms — Opium — Ranunculus — Sa.vin 

f^t. Joh n's Wort— Tobacco — Turpentine — Stramonium. 

Mineral and Chemical Poisons :— Acids— AllMlies—Alco- 

- ],ol Arsenic — Brine — Corrosive Sublimate — Creasote — 

j^(,ad — Mercury — Strychnine— Tartar Emetic. 

Cases of poisoning in the lower animals are usually owing 
to accident, in forcing clown excessive doses of dangerous 
drugs as medicine ; or design, when an enemy seeks to re- 
venge himself on the owner by poisoning his stock ; or to 
animals consuming with their food some noxious ])l:int or 
other injurious agent. 

Often, especially in the second and third of these cases, it 
is not known really wliat poison has been taken. In these, 
and, in fact, in nearly all cases of poisoning, it is safe prac- 
tice to act at once, in accordance with the following rules : — 

1 . Administer at once a full dose (one to three pints) of 
some bland oil, as sweet, cottonseed, lard, or linseed oil. 

2. Follow the oil with repeated doses of lime water, or 
powdered chalk, whiting, or powdered charcoal, mixed with 
water or mucilage to the consistency of thin syrup. 

3. If great exhaustion and sinking follow, and signs of 
drowsiness, without inflammation of the stomach, give 
whisky or other spirits freely. 

4. Move the bowels by active injections (as No. 91.) 

For purposes of treatment, poisons may be most con- 
veniently divided into Vegetable Poisons and Mineral and 
Chemical Poisons. 



428 Treatment of Poixon'mfj. 

VEGETABLE POISONS. 

AlOOS. — f iG extensive use of this strong i)iirgative in veterinary 
practice lias led to many cases wliere animals have died from its eii'ects. 
The s}-mptoms are those of excessive purging. The feces become scanty, 
bloody, and expelled with violent straining. The pulse is rapid, tin- 
legs and ears cold, the mouth hot and dry, and the belly bloated and 
painful. 

The treatment consists in giving a fidl dose of opium, say two ounces 
of laudanum in a quart of linseed tea, re]>eating it in two hours if neces- 
sary ; and throwing a like quantity up the rectum. 

Castor Seeds; CrOtOn Seeds.— Both these seeds act as 
purgatives on the iiorse and ox, and swalbnved in large quantities 
bring aboxit violent and dangerous action of the bowels. The treatment 
is the same as directed under Aloes. 

Diseased and Injured Foods.— Foods which have been 

"sjjoiled,"" or have undergone fermentation and partial decay, are liable 
to bring on attacks of diarrhea, inflammation of the stomach and 
bowels, obstinate constipation, and other symptoms. Among these 
musty and sunburnt hay is a common cause of colic, dyspepsia and 
stomach staggers. The animal loses flesh and strength, the eye is 
yellow, the urine dark, and violent attacks of giddiness, and even frenzy 
may supervene. To relieve these symptoms, full doses of purgatives 
shoidd be given by the m.outh and rectum, the diet changed, and the 
strength supported by tonics and stimulants. 

Mouldy oats are liable to produce diabetes or profuse staleing. The 
symptoms and treatment of this complaint are given on page 164. 

Straw wliich is rusty has an injurious effect on animals, rendering 
them thin and sickly, subject to epidemic diseases, and lessening their 
vigor. 

The fungus growth called ergot is found chiefly in rye and Indian 
corn. The consumjjtion of such grain in quantities, for a long time, is 
very sure to bring on injurious results. The animals have ragged coiits, 
their teeth loosen, they lose flesh, and are peculiarly liable to fatal 
impaction of the thiid stomach, as we have mentioned on a previous 
page (2! 0), where we referred to a very severe epidemic that pre- 
vailed in the Mississippi Valley some years ago, and which was 
distinctly traced to this cauf e. The usual symptoms of the condition 
known as ergotism aie a dull, stupid expression, staring look, dilated 
pupils of the ej-es, staggers and stupidity ; with these are twitchings and 
spasms, especir.lly of the muscles of the hind limbs, passing into palsy. 
The tcuqierature, as felt on the horns, ears and legs, is ))elow the normal, 



Treatiiioit of Poisoning. 429 

llic ]iul.se is slow and weak: sores ;;re slow in liealiny ; ami (here may 
be a discharge from the nose. 

Half rotten turnips and cabbages, and potatoes wliieli have tlie bliglit 
or rot, should not ba fed to stock. Their nutritive power is lost, and not 
unti-equentl}- they bring on colic and diarrhea. 

EupatOriuin. — The white snakeroot has been alleged to be the 
cause of milk sickness or trembles. But, as we have said in discussing 
that disease (page 30-ij, the evidence to this efiect is insufficient. 

Hellebore. — White Hellebore, or Indian Poke ( Verafriim album), 
grows o\i r large sections of the United States. It is an active, narcotic, 
iirilaut poison, especially the root, and instances of poisoning from it 
have been reported. The treatment is by full doses of wliiskey, by 
which means the symptoms will Ije promptly dispersed. 

Laurel. — The sheep's laurel (A'wZw /a aiigiisfifoJta) is believed to 
be ])oisonous to shee^j when they eat. its leaves, berries or branches. 
The plant grows alnmdantly in tlie Middle States. The poisonous prin- 
ei])le which it contains is allied to prussic acid. The proper treatment 
of poisoning by this means is to administer stimulants, as whisky or 
gin, freely, and jiromote the action of the Ijowels, by purges and 
injections. 

IVSuSh rooms. — The poisonous sjiecies of mu.-hrooms seem to 
lie a\(ii<led by the lower animals. Yet some instances of fatal results 
from their consumjition have been known. The antidotes used are 
oil, stimulants and solution of ammonia. 

Opium. — The extensive use of this vegetable product in medicine 
has led to frequent cases of poisoning from it. It requires, indeed, 
considerable quantities. From one to two ounces prove poisonous to 
the horse, but cattle can sustain several times this amount. The symp- 
toms from opium poisoning are, in the first stage — restless twitching of 
the ears and tail, hot extremities, quick andfvdl pulse, rapid breathing; 
in the second stage, which comes on after one or two hours, there are 
— giddiness and sleepiness, an unsteady gait, red ej'es, partial ]ialsy, 
cold sweats, and gradual sinking into stupor or convulsions. For the 
ti-eatment of such cases, very strong coftee should be given, for a drench, 
a pint at a time, with a gill of wliisky, and repeated at short intervals. 
The animal should be kept in active motion, and if these measures 
promire to fail, afropia, the natural antidote of opium, should be Injected 
lieneath the skin. Cold M-ater, poured on the liead from a height of 
ten or twelve feet. f<;r ten or fifteen minutes at a time, is an effectual 
means of d!S]>eiling the sleepiness wliieli comes li'om ojiiuni. 



430 Treatment of Poisoning. 

Ranunculus. — ^"^ll the varieties of Ranunculus are acrid and irri- 
tating. Th.' cckrv-lcavcd crowfoot, l^aniutciihts sccleraf us, hi\^ a bad 
reputation in tliis country, as poisonous to sliccp and other stock, when 
eaten by them. The eyes of the animals roll, the In-caUiiug becomes 
laborious, they are giddy, turn round and round, and may drojD suddenly 
dead. At other times, loss of appetite, qui(dc pulse, staring coat, and 
the other symj^toms of acute inflammation of the bowels follow its use. 
In tlie latter class of cases a full purge of linseed and castor oil is 
required ; in the former, an ounce of ether, in milk, will often dissipate 
the nervous symptoms, and give time for an active purge to carry off the 
offending substance. 

Savin. — The oil and powder of savin are largely and sometimes 
indiscreetly, used in domestic veterinary pharmacy. When given in 
excessive doses, they give rise to severe colic, loss of apjietite, fever, and 
constipation, followed by a bloody and exhaiisting diarrhea. The treat- 
ment is to administer full doses of sweet or linseed oil, M'ith one to three 
ounces of laudanum, and suppoi't the strength l)y doses of an ounce of 
ether i:i a pint of milk. 

St. John's Wort. — This common weed, the Hi/pericinn j^erfor- 

aftnti, is charged, and jiroliubly justly, with irritating and producing 
sores on horses, cattle and sheep, especially such as have white feet and 
noses — the skin of such being more tender and irritable. Dr. William 
Darlington, the late eminent botanist of Pennsylvania, says : "The 
dew which collects on the 2:)lant seems to become acrid. I have seen 
the l)acks of white cows covered with sores, wherever the bushy ends 
of their tails had been applied, after draggling through the St. John's 
wort." The noses of sheep are often found to be sore, from this cause. 
The treatment is to wash the sores clean, and cover them with wood tar 
or petroleum, which heals and counteracts the acridity of the plant. 

Strctmonium. — Tlif Jimson or .T.iniestoM"n weed is a common 
plant in the Atlantic states, and, in fact, in all quarters of the world — 
along roadsides, on dung heaps, etc. It is a narcotic and irritant 
poison, although the lierbivora can take considerable quantities of it 
without serious results. Two pounds and a half of the seeds have been 
known to kill a horse. The symptoms are giddiness, faiutness and 
delirium, followed by convulsions, palsy and stupor. The stomach and 
intestines ai-e inflamed, the bowels constipated or passing bloody feces, 
and the colic is severe. The treatment is by full doses of SAveet or lin- 
seed oil, containing two to four ounces of laudanum, injections, and 
su])portin_'r the strength by ether or whisky. 



Treatment of Poisoning. 431 

Tobacco. — Horses and oxen will eat green tobacco without suffer- 
ing fioin it ; but six pounds of cured tobacco have been known to kill a 
cow. Goats, on the other hand, have been seen to eat cigars and dried 
tobacco leaves with apparent enjoyment. The poisonous results are 
manifested in herbivorous animals by violent purgation, with very offen- 
sive feces, pain in the belly aud wind colic. The pulse is weak, the coat 
staring, the extremities cold. There is great prostration, foaming at the 
mouth, and convulsions or stupor. The treatment is, to administer 
active purgatives, followed by full doses of whisky, in slippeiw elm bark 
mucilage, or linseed tea. 

Turpentin©. — The chief injurious effect of turpentine is upon 
the Jvidiu-ys. iu producing strangurj'. The proper treatment has been 
considered on page 162. 

MINERAL AND CHEMICAL POISONS. 

Acids. — The so-called mineral acids — suljjhuric, nitric and muri- 
atic acids, and the concentrated vegetable acids, are all caustic and 
irritant poisons. They would never be taken willingly by an animal, 
but may be forced down, through ignorance, error or design. Their 
antidotes are full doses of alkalies, such as powdered chalk, whiting or 
lime water. These should be promptly 'administered, aud followed by 
sweet or linseed oil. 

AlkaliOS. — Quick lime, caustic potash, concentrated lye, washing 
soda, etc., are destructive agents to the tissues. When taken internally, 
they must be countei'acted by acids, the handiest of which is usually 
vinegar and water. This should be freely taken, and followed by a 
purge of oil. 

Alcohol. — Haifa pint of pure alcohol will kill a horse, as experi- 
ments have demonstrated ; but of the commercial article much larger 
doses can be tolerated. A form of chronic alcoholic poisoning has been 
noticed in horses which have frequently been dosed with whisky to 
keep up their strength. The only ti-eatment needed is to suspend the 
use of the agent. 

ArSOniC. — From the extensive use made of this drug in veterinary 
pharmacy, instances of poisoning by it are not uncommon. Forty 
grains of it in solution is a fatal dose for a horse. Both horses, sheei) 
and cattle have been killed in numbers, from pasturing in a field over 
which sheep had been allowed to I'un just after being dipped in an 
arsenical solution. The symptoms are: violent pain in the bowels, 
purging and straining; intense thirst, quick, feeble pulse, irregular 



432 Treatmerd of Poisoning. 

breathing ; reddish urine, low temperature, fuintness, palsy, convulsions, 
and death. Sometimes a frothy mucus comes from the mouth and nose, 
the eyes are jaundiced and the skin discolored. The treatment for 
herbivorous animals is to give full doses of oily purgatives. With 
these may be joined several spoonfuls of iron rust, which forms with the 
arsenic a harmless salt. The carbonate of iron is a more active form. 

BrinO. — it. is not generally known that a formidable poison is 
developed in the brine in which tlesh and lish are steejied, after standing 
a few months. About two quarts of such brine will kill a horse, and a 
pint ar.d a half will destroy a pig or goat. The symptoms are sick 
stomach, giddiness and apoplexy; the jaws twitch and the animal 
foams at the mouth. Death may take place in eight hours. The 
treatment is liy active jmrges and stimulants. 

Corrosive Sublimate. — The corrosive chloride of mercury, 
coninuiiily known as corrosive sublimate, is one of the most active and 
fatal poisons in veterinary jiharmacy. It should always be used with the 
utmost caution. A cpiarter of an ounce of it will kill a horse or an ox, 
and half tlrnt amount will destroy a sheep or pig. The symptoms arc : 
violent pain in the belly ; intense thirst ; total loss of appetite ; 
diarrhea, with offensive and bloody discharges ; cough ; trembling, 
salivation, stupor and death. The treatment is to pour down the 
whites of a dozen eggs, stirred up with a little warm water; followed 
by linseed tea, mucilage of slippery elm bark, and a slop diet for some 
days. 

CreaSOte. — This medicinal agent Is actively corrosive and 
caustic. Ju cases of poisoning by It the general treatment advised on 
page 427 should be resorted to. 

Lead. — Sugar of lead and litharge are botli poisonous forms of 
this mineral. Lead poisoning is also common among horses and cattle 
ill the vicinity of smelting works, where minute particles of lead, car- 
ried up the flues of the furnaces, are blown by tlie wind over the 
pastures, and taken up liy the animals in eating the grass. The refuse 
of cities, when used as a fertilizer, generally contains jileces of sheet 
lead and painted articles which contaminate the pasturages, and 
produce chronic and fatal lead poisoning in the stock. The supjily of 
water may also be charged with soluble salts of lead in passing through 
conducting pipes of that material, and lead to the same result. 

The symptoms of lead poisoning are loss of appetite, staring coat, 
arched back, an anxious expression, with sometimes foaming at the 
nu.utli. and a ],rotruding tongue. This is followed by staggers, which 



Treatment of Poisoning. 433 

niiiy be dull and sleep)-, but are more often of the mad variety, the ani- 
mal running violently and blindly, dashing his head right and left, and 
wearing himself out in desperate and aimless courses. As a rule there 
are entire loss of appetite, and obstinate constipation. According to 
some the gums are of a gray or blue color, owing to a deposit of lead 
under the membrane. 

The treatment should be a large dose of a purgative, in cattle and 
sheep either Epsom or Glauber salts, aided by a large, stimulating injec- 
tion in the rectum. When this has well acted, an ounce or two of 
iodide of potash, every day, for a week, will counteract the effect of the 
lead yet in the system. 

IVIerCUry.^ — ^'l^ have already spoken of the corrosive chloride of 
mercury under Corrosive Sublimate. Calomel may also be given with 
poisonous effects, especially if it is frequently repeated. The animal is 
salivated, and a diarrhea sets in which cannot be checked, and the 
creature dies, from prostration and low fever. Blue ointment, un- 
guentum, or mercurial ointment, is in some sections very much used for 
scab, and to destroy lice and ticks. Many thousands of sheep have 
been destroyed, or seriously injured by this dangerous and needless 
remedy. Death often occurs about the eighth or ninth day after the 
ointment has been applied. The symptoms are of suffocation and con- 
ge'stion of the lungs, sometimes with salivation, loosening of the teeth, 
loss of appetite, and diarrhea. The treatment of such a condition is 
the preventive one of using some innocent insecticide, a number ot 
which we have given in the appropriate jilace. 

Strychnine. — This potent and rapid poison is also a valuable 
medicine, Init niiist Ije administered cautiously. Ten grains are more 
than enough to kill a horse. The symptoms produced are : violent agi- 
tation and treml)ling ; stiffness and jerking of the limbs ; violent general 
spasms, the limbs rigid, the back bent, the respiration checked ; inter- 
vals of rest occur, but a slight noise, or touching the animal, will excite 
the fits again. Paroxysm follows paroxysm until the animal dies 
exhausted. In the treatment, little can be done besides following or,t 
the general rules given on i>. 427 and k(>eping the animal iu a darkem;d 
iind rodiuy box stall, and perfectly quiet. 

Tartar Emetic. — ^^'^ remedies have been more recklessly ad- 
mini.-r.icd in veterinary j.harmacy than this one, and, doubtless, vastly 
moie harm than good has come of it. It is actually poisonous. Two to 
four ounces will kill a horse, though cattle can sustain twice as much. 
The symptoms uf j.oisoning are, vnmiting, diarrhea, staggers, thirst, 

28 



4o4 Treatment of Poisoning. 

salivation, faintness, cold skin, colic, convulsions, palsy and death. 
The stomach and bowels are inflamed, and the lungs congested. The 
treatment should commence with full doses of tannin, powdered oak 
bark, gallic acid, or strong tea, which are the antidotes. If vomiting 
and purging continue, these should be followed by draughts containing 
opium or laudanum. 



Drugs and 3Iedicines. 435 

CHAPTER TIL 

THE MORE niPORTAXT DRUGS AND MEDICIXES USED I'OK 
ANIMALS. 

Alphabetical List of the Most Useful Drugs, with their Doses, 

Forms of Administration and Formulas. 
Classified List of Drugs, according to their Action on the 

System, with Explanations. 

Drugs are the physician's tools, and whoever would qualify 
himself for the physician's business must obtiiin a certain 
degree of familiarity with them. For the present purpose 
this will not demand much study. The actual number of 
drugs which are of real and approved value in the treatment 
of diseases of stock are but few. Many remedies used in 
man must be omitted, because they do not act similarly on 
the lower animals ; many others must be passed by, as they 
are altogether too costly to administer in the large doses 
required in brutes. 

We shall describe briefly what we consider the most desir- 
able remedies ; and to make their presentation as clear and 
as convenient as possible, we shall arrange them, first, in 
alphabetical order, for ready reference ; secondly, classified in 
groups, according to their action on the system. The dose 
o-iven will, when not otherwise stated, be that suitable for a 
horse; cattle require about half as much again; while sheep 
and pigs should have about one-third as much as a horse. 
A table of weights and measures has been given on page 57. 
As many common drugs are known under several names, all 
these have been inserted, with references to the proper one 
used by apothecaries. 



436 Drugs and Jlcdicines. 

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE MOST TJSEFTJL DRUGS EMPLOYED IN 

VETERINARY MEDICINE, WITH DOSES, FORMS 

OF ADMINISTRATION, ETC. 

(Tlie numbers refer to the receipts which have been given ou previous pages.) 

Acetate of Ammonia Solution (Spirits of Mm- 

dercrus). — Dose 2 to 4 ounces, in water. An excellent cooling 
and strengthening remedy in feverisli and weak conditions. For fevers 
of almost any kind the following are nsefiil :— 

No. 477. Solution of acetate of ammonia, 

Epsom salts, of each, 2 oz. 

Chlorate of potash, 1 oz. 

Water, ] (|t. 

(jive at a draught. 

No. 478. Solution of acetate of ammoni;!. 

Chlorate of potash, 
Tincture of gentian, of each, 1 oz. 
Water. 1 pint. 

For an anti-febrile mixture, iu inlhienza and other low foi'ins of 
fever in horses and cattle. 
Nos. 135, 163, 3G5. 

Acetate of Lead (Sugar <•/ lead). — See Lead, acetate of. 

Acetate of Zinc— see Zinc. 

Acetic Acid— see Vinegar. 

Aconite, Tincture of root of.— Dose lo to 20 drops; for 

sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 drops. An active poison in large doses. In 
moderate ones, an excellent sedative in the early stages of all acute 
intlammations and fevers, such as pleurisy, inflammation of the lungs, 
etc. When hard-worked horses are brought in with "chill and sore 
throat," two doses of aconite and a mustard plaster to the throat will 
generally check the disease promptly. In sharp attacks of colic, and in 
rheumatic fever, if coml^ined with a brisk purgative (No. 94), it will 
often cure promptly. The same prescription is often of great service in 
beginning lockjaw. Applied as a lotion, it relieves painful swellings, 
itching, and hastens the cure of grease, mange, and other skin erup- 
tions. A very good lotion for such skin diseases is — 

No. 476. Tincture of arnica, 

'' aconite, each, 1 oz. 

Water, 1 qt. 

The tincture maybe used hypodermically, often with great advantage, 
the dose being about one-third of that given by the mouth. 

Nos. 2'.i, 94, 128, 1-JG. 



Drugs and Medicines. 437 

AlCOhoK — This, either pure, or as whisky, b'-andy, gin, etc., is 
extensively used against colic, poisoning by tobacco, exhaustion from 
disease and over exertion, great weakness, etc. In colds and sore 
throats of hard-worked horses, with fever and weakness, half a tumbler 
of whisky every few hours will often restore them. Cows with 
puerperal fever, with weak heart and cold surface, are often benefited 
by a tumbler of whisky every two or three hours. Alcohol is much 
valued externally as a lotion to bruises, cuts and sores. Whisky beaten 
up with white of eggs Is popular as a preventive of chafing in jiai'ts ex- 
posed to rubbing, as under the saddle, etc. 

AlOOS. — Dose 5 to 6 drachms; cattle double as much. Hogs can 
bear but 20 or 30 grains. One of the most popular medicines for 
stock. In constipation and colic it is best given in solution, as a 
drench. Small doses are useful in indigestion and diarrhoea. In 
inflammation of all kinds, whether from wounds or diseases, a dose of 
aloes generally proves sedative and soothing. For dropsy and watery 
swellings small and repeated doses are called for. It is a medicine 
more effective In horses than In cattle, etc. It should not be given 
when females are pregnant, nor when there are piles ; and in colds, 
influenza and inflammations of the bowels, it must be employed with 
caution. Given as a ball, the following Is a good receipt; — 

No. 47'.t. Powdered aloes, 5 drachms. 

Powdered ginger, 1 '■ 

Soft soap, as much as needed to make a ball. 
Alolu is now much vised Instead of aloes. The dose is a quarter as 
much. Nos. 20, 90, 98, 99, 100, 142, 153. 

Alum. — Dose 2 to 4 drachms. Astringent and sedative. Used 
in diarrhoea (scouring], dysentery. For Irritable sore thi-oat it Is used 
with an atomizer or a syringe. Externally, in solution, 5 grains to the 
ounce, it is a healing application in Inflammation of the eye and in the 
sores of foot and mouth disease. In powder, it is eff'ectlve for stopping 
the oozing of blood ; mixed with equal parts of fine, dry clay, it is excel- 
lent, applied to harness galls and other surface wounds ; and in strong 
solution removes the pain of burns and scalds. Nos. 85, 225, 2GG, 303. 

Ammonia, Acetate of — see Acetate of Ammonia Solution. 

Ammonia, Carbonate of {iiartshom salt, Smdihig 

salts). — Dose 2 to 4 drachms. A strong stimulant. The dose maybe given 
dissolved in a half tumbler of Avhlsky, or made into a ball with linseed 
meal and water. Valuable in Influenza, erysipelas, and other weaken- 
ing diseases. Nos. 75, 333, 374. 



438 Dni(js and Medicines. 

Ammonia, Muriate of {^al ammoniac).— Do^e. 3 to 6 
druflims, given like the cai'lxmate. Its effects are siuiilar, but not 
so powerful. Externally, it is a favorite application for hot swellings, 
Lruises and strains. A good cooling mixtui-e for this purpose is — 

No. 480. Sal ammoniac. 

Nitre, of each, 4 oz. 

Water, <S oz. 

Wet rags with it and keep ajiplied to the part. 
Nos. 22, 247. 

Ammonia, Spirits of (Liquid ammonia, Spirits of harts- 
hun(]. — Principall}' used externally. It gives immediate relief to bites, 
and stings of gnats, mosquitoes, flies, wasjjs, etc. For snake bites it 
should be promptly rubbed into the bite. It is used in very many lin- 
iments. A good one is — 

No. 481. Spirits of ammonia. 
Oil of tui'2:)entine. 

Water, of each, 1 oz. 

Linseed oil, 4 oz. 

A useful stimulant draught fm- horses and cattle is — 

No. 482. Spirits of ammonia. 

Sweet spirits of nitre, 

Tincture of gentian, of each, I oz. 

Ale or beer, 1 quart. 

To be given for great exhaustion or weakness. 
Nos. 103, 198. 

Antimony {Tartar emetic, Tartarized antimony). — Dose 1 
to 4 drachms ; pigs, grains 4 to 10. This was at one time very 
extensively prescribed in inflammatory diseases of horses and cattle, 
but the best English authorities say it is entirely useless in them. In 
pigs it is a useful emetic, and still has credit when given in small doses 
(four grains), several times repeated, for keeping down inflammation. 
Tartar emetic ointment is a strong caustic, but should not be used ex- 
ternally, as it blemishes. Nos. 83, 149. 

Antimony, Blacic or Sulphurated.— Used as an 

alterative. Of inieertain action, and doubtful value. No. 372. 

Arnica. — Used externally as a healing remedy in strains, bruises, 
wounds, bioken knees and sore shoulders. Useful combinations 
are — 

No. 483. Tincture of arnica, 1 drachm. 

Sulphate of zinc, 2 " 

Water, 10 oz. 



Drugs and Iledioinci^. 439 



No. 484. Tincture of arnica, 1 di-achm. 

Sugar of lead, 1 drachm. 

Water, 10 oz. 

Arnica is somewhat irritant, and should l^e ajiplicd cautiously when 
the skin is broken. Internally it is valuable in chills and shivering. 
Nos. 159, 250, 348. 

Arsenic. — Dose 5 to 10 gi-ains ; sheep, 1 to 2 gmins. 
Fow/t'i's solid ion is a popular form for administering it. This solr.tiou 
contains four grains of arsenic to the ounce. Very serviceable in chronic 
rheumatism and skin diseases. Externally it enters into many dipping 
mixtures for destroj'ing lice and other vermin on sheep. Nos. 77, 79, 
170, 182, 186, 461. See page 419. 

ASSafetida. — Dose, horses, 3 drachms; cattle, 2 ounces; 
sheeji, 1 drachm. Occasionally given to horses and cattle, for colic 
and chronic coughs. Nos. 104, 105, 153, 154, 824, 403. 

Belladonna. — Dose of the dried powdered leaves, 2 ounces; 
of tlie extract, 1 to 2 drachms. In influenza, sore throat, severe 
colds, inflammation of lungs, and the like, this is a valuable remedy. 
For soi-e throat, with nois}' breathing and spasmodic cough in horses, 
no other medicine gives such immediate relief. Excessive sweating, 
from weakness, is promptly checked bj- a full dose. Externally it 
relieves irritable and painful wounds, the raw surftice following frost- 
bite, cracks from mud fever, etc. Inflammation of almost any part of 
the eye is relieved by belladonna. Its active principle is afropia. This 
can be very neatly administered with the hypodermic syringe ; ten 
drops, of a solution of five grains of atropia to the ounce of water, is 
the proper strength for a horse, repeated as necessary. Nos. 77, 139, 
157, 165, 264, 268, 273, 274. 

Bleaching Powder— see Lime chloride. 

Blistering Ointment— see Cantharides. 

Blue Stone, Blue Vitriol— s^e Copper suli:)hate. 

Bole Armenian. — -^ kind of clay, used formerly as a coloring 

ingredient ; of no medicinal value. 

Borax {Biborate of Soditim). — Used externally as a wash to 
sores and ulcers, especially in calves and lambs. The piuwder may be 
sprinkled on the part. It is a feeble irritant. No. 85. 

Bromide of Potassium— see Potassium. 



440 Drugs and Medicines. 

Ca!om©I~>'''^e Mercurials. 

Camphor. — Dose, iiorse.r, 1 to 2 drachms ; cattle, 2 to 4 drachms; 
slici'p and pigs, I drachm. As a sedative, it is given in chronic cougji, 
colic, diarrhea and influenza. Externally, spirits of camphor are very 
popular, as an ajiplication to sprains, bruises and wounds, and enter into 
man}' liniments. Kos. 77, 78, lf',4, K'AK 

Cantha rides {■'^panuh Flics, BUsteHmi Flies). — Their use 
should be external, chiefly. Bli.sfcrs are useful in the later stages of 
inflammation, and in local watery swellings and efiusions. After an 
attack of pleurisy, a blister will hasten the disappearance of water from 
the chest. For checking inflammation of the jwgular vein, in a horse, 
nothing is so prompt as a long, narrow blister along the tense, corded, 
swollen vessel of the neck. Slow abscesses are brought to a head by a 
blister. For healing obstinate, unhealthy, old ulcers, nothing so often 
succeeds as to apply a large blister, covering both the ulcer and an inch 
or so of the flesh around it. Ointments of cantharides are much employed 
by veterinarians for blistering purposes. 

In applying any blistering preparation, the hair should first be shaved 
off. The animal should be prevented from rubbing and breaking the 
blister when it rises. On the second day after it has been applied, the 
part should be well bathed with warm water, and dressed with -washed 
lard, oil, or unsalted butt(.>r. Liniments of cantharides are used to 
stimulate a part, short of blistei'ing it. An average strength is — 

No. 485. Powdered cantharides. 1 f)z. 

Ijluseed oil, 10 oz. 

To be rubbed in. 

Nos. 13, 1(3, 17, 18, 10, 32, 33, 107, 234, 235, 237. 

Capsicum {iRed pepper, Cai/ejiiie pepper) — see Pepper. 

Carraway Se@d. — Dose i oz. Used as a stomachic, with other 
medicines. 

Carbolic Acid. — Dose lO to 40 drops; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 

drops. One of the most valuable veterinary medicines. In strangles, 
putrid sore throat, low fevers and farcy, given in full doses, often re- 
peated, it greatly lessens the severity of the disease. In indigestion, 
dyspepsia and flatulence, it nearly always succeeds. AVounds should be 
freely washed with a one per cent, solution. Overreaches, quitters 
and troublesome ulcers, should be covered with oakum, which should 
be kept wet with the solution. For stings, bites, skin diseases and 
parasites, it has numerous api^lications. As an antiseptic and disiu- 



Drugs and Medicines. 441 

fectant, and hence a preventive of disease, it sliouM l>e iu every liaru 
and stable. Nos. 151, 220, 241, 279, 288, 307, 318. 

Castor Oil. — Dose 1 pint; sheep and pigs, 3 to 4 oz., oi- or 
8 beans. A mild purgative ; efficient, though slow, in its eifects. For 
young animals, about the best purge. When given to adult horses or 
cattle, it is best to combine with it half a pound of Epsom salts. Nos. 
110, 130, 330, 37G, 404. 

CatGChU. — Dose 2 07.. A useful vegetable astringent iu diar- 
rhea, Hux, etc. Nos. 121, 131, 370, 387. 

Chalk — ^P6 Lime carbonate. 

Charcoal. — Dose 1 oz. Used for indigestion and dyspe2:>sia, 
with fetid feces. It can readily be given in gruel. Externally, it may 
be dredged or sprinkled on foul sores. 

Chloral Hydrate. — Dose l to 2 ounces; sheep and pigs, 
1 to 3 drachms. Une of the best agents to quiet irritability and 
produce sleep. Used in colic, asthma, brain disease, convulsions of all 
kinds, etc. A solution of a drachm to the ounce is one of the best ap- 
plications in obstinate ulcers, old galls, wounds, etc. Can readily be 
injected subcutaneously. Nos. 96, 126, 243, 377. 

Chloride of Lime— see Lime. 

Chlorate of Potash— see Potash. 

Chloride of Sodium (Commoii Salt, Dairy Salt) — see 
Sodium Chloride. 

Chloroform. — Dose 1 to 2 drachms. As an anodyne in colic, 
asthma and troublesome cough. Princii^ally used as an anaesthetic. For 
this purpose 2 or 8 ounces are generally sufficient for horses and cattle, 
1 to 2 ounces for sheep and pigs. A sponge saturated with this amount 
may be placed in a nose-bag and fastened to the head, or held to the 
nostrils. The animal should be well secured, as the earlier effect of 
chloroform is to produce a state of excitement. Air must be allowed to 
enter freely with the chloroform, as its pure yapor is poisonous. A safer 
though slower anajsthetic is the mixture No. 12. 

For internal use a mixture called chloric ether is very popular in 
England. It is — 

No. 486. Chloroform, 1 part. 

Pure alcohol, 19 parts. 



442 Drugs and Medicines. 

Do .^e, horses, 1 ounce ; cattle, 2 ounces ; sheep and pigs, ^ ounce. 
Mr. Dun says such a dose, with half a teaspoonful or a teaspoonful of 
laudanum, diluted with water, is one of the mo.3t effectual anti-spas- 
modics and nerve soothers he has ever used. Nos. 92, 139, 364. 

Cinchona [Peruvian Bark, Quinine). — As a tonic and for 
use in fevers, no medicine equals the active ]n-inciples of Peruvian 
bark. Unfortunately, quinine is too dear for veterinary practice. 
Cheaper and very efficient preparations are cinchonia and cinchonidia ; 
or the powdered bark itself may be used. Dose of quinine, horses and 
cattle, 20 to 40 grains ; pigs and sheep, 10 grains of powdei'ed bark ; 
half an ounce to horses. They are used in exhaustion and debility, in 
scrofula, rheumatism, diabetes, sheep's rot, influenza, etc. Nos. 88, 
146, 178, 194, 203, 335. 

Cod'liVGr Oil> — Dose 4 to 8 oz. An excellent tonic; valuable 
in exhausting diseases, especially in young animals. No;. 132, 292. 

Copaiva. — Dose, as diuretic, h oz. to 1 oz. ; ai an expectorant in 
coughs, 1 or 2 oz. No. 209. 

Coppor SulphatO [Blue Vitriol, Blue Stone, Vitriol of Cop- 
per). — Dose, horses and cattle, 1 to 2 drachms; sheep and pigs, 10 to 
20 grains. A tonic and astringent; used solid as a mild caustic; in 
large doses poisonous. Copper sulphate is much used in excessive 
wateiy or bloody discharges from the bowels. In glanders and exhaust- 
ing diarrheas, it is one of the best remedie ;. As a stimulant and caustic, 
it is used on inflamed eyelids, fistulous and slow healing wounds, foot 
rot in sheep, and the like. Copper sabacetate, or verdi<jris, is 
sometimes used like the sul]:ihate, but is a more irritant poison, and 
might as well be dropped. Nos. 118, 134, 178, 180, 213, 215, 31!). 

Copperas — see iron Sulphate. 

Corrosive Sublimate [Corrosive chloride of inercuri/)~>^eii 
Mercin-ials. 

Cream of Tartar— see Potash bitartrate. 

CreaSOte. — Dose 20 to 40 drops. This is made from wood tar, 
and is a uset"ul preparation. It is used to check unhealthy discharges, 
and as an antiseptic. In farcy, nasal gleet, scouring, etc., it is given 
internally. Externally, it is an excellent remedy to relieve itching, 
destroy vermin, to dress foul wounds, and recent burns. For these pur- 
poses it may be used as an ointment, 1 dr. to lard 1 oz., or 1 dr. to 
water i pint. Nos. 120, 174, 200, 326, 398. 



Drugs and JlcfUcines. 443 

CfOtOn Oil- — Dose, for a horse, 20 drops ; for cattle, 50 drops ; for 
sheep and swiae, 5 to 10 drops. The oil is made from tlie seeds of the 
plant. Ten or twelve seeds is a dose for a horse. A powerful and 
prompt purgative, and external!}' a sharp irritant, producing numerous 
little pnstules. Valuable in fardel bound, and other forms of obstinate 
constipation. Externally, it is used for pleurisy, pneumonia, chronic 
I'heumatism, obstinate swellings and the like. It should not be applied 
to horses, as it blemishes. Nos. 89, 91, 323, 388, 375. 

DigitdliS- — Dose of the powdered leaves, horses, 30 grains ; sheep 
and pigs, 10 grains.' Verj' useful to reduce temperature at the outset of 
fevers, etc., to strengthen the heart when diseased, for broken wind, and 
to reduce dropsy. It acts on the kidnej'S promptly. It may also be 
given in an infusion from the leaves (1 drachm of the leaves to a pint of 
cold water), and the active principle of the jjlant, digit alin, is very con- 
venient for hypodermic use, about one-twentieth of a grain, repeated as 
needed. The effects of digitalis are rather slow, not being visi)>le some- 
times for 10 or 12 hours. Nos. 7G, 82, 155, 167,320, 434. 

Epsom Salts [Sulphate of magnesia) — see Magnesium sul- 
]ihate. 

Ergot. — The spur of diseased rye. Used Ijoth to hasten and 
facilitate the birth of animals, and to prevent abortion in dropping. 
Dose, for a mare or cow, 1 oz. ; for sheep and swine, 1 drachm. A 
simple decoction, swallowed, dregs and all, is the best form for veteri- 
nary practice. Ergot is also useful in bleeding from the lungs, nose, 
stomach or bowels. For this purjjose it is best given by hypodermic 
injection of its active principle, ergotiit, in five-grain doses, in solution, 
repeated as often as necessary. Nos. 24, 405. Page 325. 

EthOI* {SHlphuric ether). — Used as an anaesthetic and stimulant. 
As an anaesthetic, the mixture recommended under chloroform is better 
than ether alone. As a prompt and diffusible stimulant, the dose is, 
for horses and cattle, 2 ozs. ; for sheep and pigs, -J oz. It is called for 
in the chills and shiverings which often usher in diseases, and is 
especially called for in hard-worked horses in town, when struck down 
V)y influenza, etc. It relieves cramps, colic, stomach staggers and 
fainting fits. Nos. 12, 28, 95, 98, 102, 319. 

Fennol Seed. — Dose lto2oz. Used as a stomachic, with other 
medicines. 

Gallic Acid. — Dose J oz. A popular vegetable astringent, in 
diarrhea, etc. Nos. 122, 302. 



444 Drugs and 3Icdiclncs. 

Ginger. — Dose 2 to 1 oz. of the powder, 1 drachm of the essence. 
A useful stimulant and stomachic, in colic, diarrhea and exhaustion. 
Much employed in combination with other medicines, to jirevent griping 
and render them more acceptable to the stomach. Nos. 121, 335. 

Contian. — One of the most esteemed vegetable tonics. Dose of 
the powdur \ oz. to 1 oz. Nos. 86, 123, 189,196, 337. 

Glauber Salts— t^t-e Soda, sulphate of. 

Glycerine is a cleanly and useful application for sores and galls. 
In cracked heels, sore mouths, harness galls and the like, it should be 
diluted and mixed with tannin, as follows : — 

No. 487. Glycerine, 8 oz. 

Starch, 1 OK. 

Tannic acid, i oz. 

The following is an excellent application to sores, old galls, burns 
or foul wounds: — 

No. 488. Glycerine, 

Water, of each, 4 oz. 

Carbolic acid, ^ oz. 

To be painted on with a In-ush. 

GuaiaCUm. — Used as an expectorant: one of the l^est, in the 
lower animals. Nos. 66, 321. 

Hartshorn— see Ammonia. 

Hellebore, White. — Used as an irritant. Xo. 14. 

Iodide of Potassium — see Potassium, iodide of. 

Iodine. — Usually employed as the tincture. Dose 30 to Gt) drops, 
on an empty stomach. Generally used externally, painted on the skin, 
to reduce swellings of the joints, sti-ains, hardenings of the uddex', cold 
abscesses, scrofulous glands, skin diseases, and for indolent ulcers and 
unhealthy wounds. Nos. 81, 170, 172, 183, 202, 238, 253, 255, 315, 426. 

Iron, Chloride of.— The tinctm-e of the chloride of iron is an 
efficient tonic, astringent and alterative. The dose is i oz., well diluted. 
Nos. 74, 117, 188, 203. 

Iron Sulphate (Oreen vitriol, fo^^/jeras).- Horses, 2to3drs. 
Sheep, 20 grs. Astringent and tonic. Can be mixed with soft food and 
given several times daily, where there is want of tone of the system and tor- 
pidity of the bowels. It is a cheap and efficient tonic, but turns the feces 
of a black color, and gives them a disagreeable odor. After it has been 



Drugs and Medicines. 445 

given five or six da3's, it should be suspended for a few daj^s, so as to 
\ avoid irritating the stomar-li. Nos. 2, 152, 161, 176, 205, 322, 428, 428. 

IpGCaCUanhSI. — Dose I oz. A diaphoretic and expectorant. 
Useful in dysentery. Not very efficacious in the herbivora. Nos. 07, 
137. 

Laudanum— see Opium. 

Lead Acetate {^ugar of lead). — Dose 1 drachm; calves, 
sheep, pigs, 10 to 15 grs. Used to check bleeding from the lungs and 
bowels, profuse scouring, red water, etc., especially when combined 
with opium. Externally, 5 or 10 grains dissolved in an ounce of water, 
it is excellent to soothe and heal burns, bruises, irritable and moist 
ulcers ; to cool and relieve inflamed tendons, moist skin diseases, and 
cracked and itching skin diseases. It has been often used as an eye 
wash, but for this it is not suitable, as the lead is apt to leave a perma- 
nent stain or film on the eye, over the cornea. Nos. 11'.', 226, 227, 228, 
248. 

Lime. Lime Water (C'a?('i«'w oxide, qidddime, aqua calcis). — 
Lime is irritant, corrosive and antacid. Lime water is made by briskly 
stirring four ounces of freshly burned lime in a gallon of water, letting it 
settle, and pouring ofif the clear solution. It is an excellent antacid in 
indigestion, hoven, and diarrhea in cattle and calves. Dose 2 to 6 ozs. 
Mixed with linseed oil, in equal parts, it is one of the best applications 
in burns and scalds, and in watery and itching skin diseases. Powdered 
slaked lime is used as an antacid. Dose 1 dr. , mixed with moist food. 
Nos. 265, 385. 

Lime Carbonate {(^alrinm carbonate. C/ta7/>-)- — Dose, 
horses, 1 to 2 ozs. ; sheep, pigs, 2 to 4 drs. Ona of the cheapest and 
most convenient antacids, much used in indigestion, chronic diarrhea, 
and dysentery. May be given in milk or moist feed. Nos. 113, 116, 
120, 121, 133, 385. 

Lime Chloride {Chlorinated lime, bleachiiir/ powder). — Prin- 
cipally used as a disinfectant. Scattered al)out the staljle, it keeps away 
flies, rats and mice. Used externally for unhealthy wounds, mange and 
grease. Of little or no value internally. It may be advantageously 
mixed with equal parts of powdered sulphur. Nos. o, 231. ;!12. 

Lunar Caustic— ^<'^^ Silver nitrate. 

Lobelia Inflata {fitdian /o/^co/l.— Used as a uausennt ;iiulde- 



446 Drugs and Medicines. 

pressant in nervous excitement, lockjaw, mad staggers, etc. iJose of 
the tincture, 1 ounce. 

Linseed. — Valuable as a diet. Nos. 5, G. 

Linseed Oil. — Dose, as a cathartic, 1 to 2 pints. A bland and 
unirritating ]»urge, useful in young and weakly animals. Often valuable 
in choking in cattle. Externally it is a soothing dressing. Nos. 89, 91. 

Magnesia, Suipliate of [Epsom salts, Sulphate of mag- 
nesia). ^\)os&, as a purgative in cattle, 1 to 2 pounds; calves, sheep and 
pigs, 3 to 6 ounces. A popular febrifuge, purgative and alterative, but 
not desirable as a purge for horses, as it sometimes acts very violently 
on them. It is, however, valuable to them in small doses, repeated, say 
1 to 2 ounces, several times a day, to "cool the blood," in influenza, 
pneumonia, and, indeed, most febrile inflammatory disorders. It should 
be given in ten or fifteen times the quantity of water, and mixing it 
with molasses and ginger will nearly conceal the taste, and allow of 
giving it in soft food. Nos. 144, 145, 331, 332. 

MerCUriaiS. — Mercury or quicksilver Is used as Mercurial oint- 
ment, Mercurial liniment, Mercury with chalk {Gray Powder), Red 
Precipitate {Red Oxide of Mercury), Calomel {Mild Chloride of mer- 
cury), Corrosive sublimate {Corrosire Chloride nf mercury) and Citrine 
ointment {ointment of Nitrate of Mercury). — Of these we may use in- 
ternally, mercury with chalk, dose 15 to 20 grains, in Indigestion and 
diarrhea in yoting calves ; but calomel, dose 30 to 60 grains, is gen- 
erally preferred, combined with chalk, magnesia or opium. Calomel Is 
much less used now than formerly, and is mostly confined to some 
diseases of the stomach and bowels. Corrosive sublimate is a very 
valuable internal remedy In arresting the slimy, bloody discharges of 
chronic dysentery in cattle. Dose, horses and cattle, 5 to 8 grains ; 
sheep and pigs, 1 grain. Externally mercurial ointment Is used as a 
stimulant for old sores, ulcers and swellings, and for destroying Hoe and 
vermin. But for the latter purpose other agents are better, as the mer- 
cury is apt to be absorbed, and to poison the animal. A weak solution 
of corrosive sublimate, 20 grains to the pint of water, is used for the 
same purpose. Citrine ointment is used in chronic, skin diseases, ring- 
worm, etc., but is easily absorbed, and must be cautiously used. Nos. 
VG, 90, 147, 1G2, 186, 194, 234, 23G, 239, 350, 383. 

Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric add, Spirit of salt). — Dose of 
the diluted medicinal acid 1 to 2 drachms, in a qiuirt of water. An ex- 
cellent remedy, given with the food. In indigestion in lambs and calves, 



Drugs and Medicines. 447 

and in weak animals without appetite, and which do not thrive ; also in 
febrile and exhausting diseases, and in hemorrhages. May be advan- 
tageously combined with iron, gentian, Peruvian bark or other bitters. 
Externally, the strong acid is a powerful caustic ; diluted, it may be 
applied to ulcers with proud flesh ; and as a cheap and penetrating dis- 
infectant, it is suitable for pouring on carcases of diseased animals which 
have died of contagious diseases. No. 141. 

Mustard {^inapis). — Dose ?> oz. Best given as a pill or ball. 
A stumuchic and mild stimulant, in colic, cramps, dyspepsia, etc. 
Principally used externally, as the popular * ' mustard plaster. ' ' For 
ordinary purposes, it may be mixed with tepid water ; mixed with 
whisky or vinegar, the action is slower ; with turpentine or spirits of 
ammonia, the action is much more prompt and severe. The oil of mus- 
tard rubbed in is a strong blistering fluid. For all domestic animals, 
mustard plasters are admirable means of reducing inflammations, reliev- 
ing pain, lessening swellings and stimulating parts. Nos. 190, 31to. 

Nitre (yifrafe of rotash) — see Potash nitrate. 

Nitrate of Silver {Lunar caustic) — see Silver Nitrate. 

Nitric Acid i ^i^qua fortia). — Dose of the dilute medicinal acid 
1 to 2 drs., well diluted. Internally a stimulant and antiseptic, useful in 
dyspepsia, low fever, and diarrhea. The strong acid is used as a caustic 
fur removing warts, proud flesh, etc. It Is generally applied on a splinter 
of soft wood. A drachm of tlie strong acid to a pint of water is a valu- 
aljle wash for foul sores, old ulcers, foot rot, and sloughing wounds. It 
is also serviceable in abating itching, nettle rash and mange. No. 229. 

NUX Vomica and Strychnine iStri/chnm).— Strych- 
nine is the active principle of the plant nux vomica. The dose of the 
powdered nux is, for horses, 1 dr., cattle, 2 drs., sheep and pigs, 20grs., 
given in a ball. Far more convenient is strychnine used with the hypo- 
dermic syringe, as — 

No. 489. Strychnine, 5 grains. 

Water, 6 drachms. 

Alcohol, 2 drachms. 

Of this ten drops contain one-tenth of a grain of strychnine, and 20 
or 80 drops umy be thrown at one time under the skin of the 

horse. 

Internally, a horse may take 2 grains of strychnine. Both nux and 
strychnia are of unequaled value in stiffened and partly jiaralyzed ani- 
mals. To be used with advantacff, thev must be continued and the dose 



448 Drur/.s and Medici nes. 

increased, until tlie animal has twitcliings of the muscles, usually fii'st 
noticed at night. Nos. 31, 8<), 140, 157. 

Oil of Tar— ^ee Tar, 

Oil of Vitriol — see Sulphuric acid. 

OliVO Oil {''^ii'cet oil.) — Laxative and denndeent. Dose 1 to 3 
pints. 

Opium is employed principally as powdered opium, laudanum, 
{tincture <>/ opium), and moiphine, which is one of its active principles. 
Horses and cattle can take 2 drachms of powdered opium, or 3 or 4 ozs. 
of hiudanum, or 5 to 10 grains of morphia at a dose. An invaluable 
means of giving an oijiate is to inject one or two grains of morjahia under 
the skin. Calves, sheejD and pigs about one-sixth of these doses. Hardly 
any drug has moi"e uses than opium. It is a stimulant in exhaustion and 
weakness, it allays pain and restlessness, it checks excessive secretion 
and vomiting, it relieves the spasms of colic, dysentery, lockjaw and 
many convulsive diseases. It should not be given in active inflamma- 
tion, when the skin is hot and dry, and the pulse strong, in inflamma- 
tion of the brain, nor in obstinate constipation. Nor is it considered 
safe in diseases of the lungs, when the breathing is shallow and rajjid. 
When an animal is suddenly taken with shivering and chills, a full, dose 
of opium will often cut short the impending disease. At the very com- 
mencement of a cold, when the nostrils begin to run, a similar treatment 
will abort the attack. Nos. 7n, 70, 78, 118, 110, 120, 124, 100, etc. 

Morphia— see Opium. 

Pepper, Black and Red {Capsicum, Cayenne pepjier).— 
Dose 2 t(^ 3 drachms. Used in indigestion and colic, and sometimes as 
a plaster or liniment on the skin. Less esteemed now than formerly. 

Petroleum {T^ock oil, Seneca oil, etc). — The crude oil should be 
used only as an external application to galls, cuts, bruises, scratches, 
etc. Internally, kerosene and benzine are valuable in coughs, colds, 
croups, colics and intestinal obstruction. Dose 1 to 4 ounces. Benzine 
is said to prevent trichinae in hogs. Kerosene destroys lice. 

Peruvian Bark— see Cinchona. 

Podophyllin {^^le active principle of the May apple or Hog 
apple). — Dose, 1 to 8 drachms. This is an active jmrgative in man, but 
has little effect on the lower animals. It is said to be a sedative to the 
heart. No. 337. 



Drugs and llcdicines. 449 

Potash, Bitartrate of (Cream of tartar ).—Coo\\n^, laxa- 
tive and diuretic. Dose 2 or 3 ounces, well diluted in water. Nos. 108, 
161. 

Potash, Bromide of. — Dose >'. ounce to 1 ounce. A seda 
tive, to allay nervous excitement. Nos. 25, 187. 

Potash, Bicarbonate and Carbonate. — Dose ^ 

ounce to 1 ounce. An alkali, sometimes used in indigestion. 

Potash, Iodide of. — Dose "2- ounce to 1 ounce. Prescribed 
in chronic rheumatism, scrofulous enlargements, chronic coughs, and to 
cause absorption in pleurisy and inflammation of the lungs. Nos. 75, 
81, 110, 170, 173. 

Potash, Nitrate of i^^ifre, Saltpetre). — Dose 5- ounce to 1 
ounce. An alterative, febrifuge and diuretic. Much used in condition 
powders, febrile complaints, dropsy and inflammations. Externally, it 
is added to cooling lotions. Nos. 78, 79, IGO. 

Potash, Chlorate of. — Dose 2 to 4 drachms. Useful in 
fevers, inflammation and sore throats. Extermdly as a wash to foul 
ulcers, etc. Nos. G6, 84, lOG, 311. 

Quinine — s<?g Cinchona. 

Salicylic Acid. — Dose, 1 to 2 drachms. A valuable antiseptic 
and febrituge. In all descriptions of wounds it arrests putrefaction, 
lessens pain and hastens healing. A convenient solution for external 

use is — 

No. 490. Salicylic acid. 

Borax, each, 10 grains. 

Water, 1 oz. 

Apply on rags, tow or oakum. 

In acute rheumatic fever the dose above given, repeated three or four 
times a day, will generally greatly hasten the cure. No. 192. 

Saltpetre — ■'Pe Potash nitrate. 

Silver, Nitrate of {Lunar caustic). — Dose, internally, 5 to 6 
grains, made into a ball. For external purposes small sticks of the fused 
nitrate are sold ; or an ointment may l)e made, 5 to 10 grains to the ounce 
of water ; or a solution, of any desired strength. The antidote is common 
.snlt, which should be at hand to check the over-action of the caustic. 
Jr.ternally, it is a tonic, stimulant and astringent, useful in diarrhea, 
dysentery, cholera and wasting fevers. It is generally used externally. 



450 Dnigs and Medicines. 

As a caustic it removes proud flesh, warts and angleberries, and freshens 
the surface of obstinate soros. For sore teats, foot rot and the like, it is 
an excellent application. Nos. 27, 129, 224. 

SOdp> — Common soft soap, well rubbed in several times, is often a 
cure of skin disease. It is also popular in clysters and liniments. Hard 
soap is much employed in making liniments, ointments, balls, etc. Nos. 
207, 209. 

Soda, Bicarbonate of ^Bal-ing so*/*/).— Dose I 1.) 1 oz. 
An excellent alkali. Nus. 80, 128, T.fZ. 

Soda Bisulphite of. — Dose i to l oz., as a disinfectant inter- 
nally. Nos. 113, 281, 313. 

Soda. Chloride of {Common salt). — Dose, as a purgative to 
the ox, 1 II).; sheep, 1 to 3 ozs. In large doses salt is an efficient purga- 
tive for these animals, but should not be given for this purpose to the 
horse, as its action is uncertain and violent. In small doses it is a 
digestive stimulant and stomachic. Nos. 87, lol. 

Spanish Flies— ^^••<' Cantharides. 

Strychnine. — Dose 3 to 4 grains to a horse. A powerful tonic 
and nervous stimulant. Nos. 30, 80. 

Sugar of Lead— f^ee Lead acetate. 

Sulphate of Magnesia— see Magnesium sulphate. 

Sulphate of Strychnia. 

Sulphur [Brimstone). — Dose, as a laxative, 4 to G ozs. ; as an 
alterative, 1 to 2 ozs. Its value as such is not very great. Externally, 
sulphur ointments are very popular for. vermin and parasitic skin dis- 
eases. Nos. 108, 161, 190, 283, 290, 291, 851. 

Sulphuric Acid (Oil of vitriuD. — Dose of the medicinal acid 
1 to 2 drachms ; as an external wash 20 drops of the strong acid to 1 
oz. of water. Used in a similar manner to Nitric and Muriatic acids, 
which see. Nos. 4, 184, 191, 216, 363.- 

Sulphurous Acid. — Dose of the medicinal solution 1 to 2 ozs. 
One of the cheapest and best antiseptics. The acid is evolved in a 
gaseous state by burning sul]ihur. Flour of sulphur sprinkled on a 
shovelful of hot coals will evolve it rapidly, and a stable can thu^: be 



Drugs and Medieines. 451 

thoroughly purified. The medicinal acid is an excellent soothing 
application to irritable wounds. It can be used with the atomizer. Ko. 1. 

Sweet Oil — see OUve oil. 

Sweet Spirits of Nitre.— Dose l to 2 ozs. A stimulant, 
diuretic and antisejitic. Valuable in indigestion, colic, low fever, 
inflammatory diseases and kidney disorders. 

Tannic Acid. — Dose 10 to 20 grains. A powerful astringent 
in diarrhea and mucous discharges. Used as an injection for the whites, 
to relaxed membranes. Nos. 69, 115, 125. 

Tar. — Largely used as an external dressing to wounds, chaps, galls, 
malleuders, grease, ringworm, foot rot, etc. Internally, it is a vermi- 
fuge, and benefits chronic cough. Dose J to 2 ozs. Tar ointment is 
made by mixing equal parts of tar and lard at a gentle heat ; tar water, 
by pouring a gallon of boiling water on a pint of tar, stirring and letting 
it settle. Oil of tar is an impure turpentine, obtained from distilling 
tar ; it is used for sheep dips, etc. It is an excellent antiseptic. Nos. 
212, 216, 246, 293, 285. 

Tartar Emetic— ^^ee Antimony. 

Tobacco- — Dose 1 to 2 drachms, dissolved in hot water. As a 
relaxer of the muscles, tobacco is used in colic and obstinate constipa- 
tion, tetanus, and convulsions. Externally, it is popular as a destroyer 
of fleas, ticks and lice. Nos. 294, 297. 

Turpentine {Oil of turpentine, Sjririt of turpentine). — Dose J 
to 2 ozs. A valuable stimulant, antispasmodic, diuretic and vermifuge. 
But administered mixed with olive or linseed oil, or shaken up with 
milk, gruel, or white of eggs and water. Largely used in indigestion, 
colic, worms, coughs, rheumatism, low fever, etc. Externally, as a lini- 
ment in rheumatic swellings, sprains, bruises, frost bite, vermin, ce.t 
It should not be used where there is high fever, or irritation of the 
bowels or urinary organs. Nos. 70, 90, 91, 94, 148, 150, 207, 208, 388. 

Veratrum Viride (^^*e Water hemlock) is highly esteemed by 
some to reduce the pulse and fever in acute inflammations. Dose i oz. 
of the saturated tincture. 

Verdigris — see Copper subacetate. 

Vinegar. — Principally used externally as a convenient stimulant 
in strains, bruises and superficial inflammations. A >i acdic arid a, d\s- 



452 Drugs and 3fedicine.^. 

tilled and concentrated vinegai- is sold by druggists ; dose 1 to '2 
drachms, well diluted. It is used as a cooling addition to drinks, and a:i 
an antidote to alkalies. Nos. 174, 218. 

Vitriol, Blue— ^ce Copper sulphate. 

Vitriol, Green— ^^t^'*' ii'on suiidiate. 

Vitriol, White— -"t^e Zinc sulphate. 

Zinc Chloride (Butter of zinc). — A powerful caustic, usetl 
externally in foot rot, malignant growths, and the like. Dissolved, .3 
grains to the ounce of water, it is a capital wash to destroy vermin and 
disinfect foul wounds. Nos. 177, 217. 

Zinc Oxide. — (Flowers of zinc.) An excellent drying powder 
for weeping surfaces, moist skin diseases and chafes. An ointment of 
1 drachm to lard 1 ounce is one of the most soothing to irritated 
surflices. Nos. 227, 207. 

Zinc Sulphate — (White vitriol}. Principally used externally 
as a stimulant and astringent in weak wounds, foul ulcers, ophthalmia, 
chronic skin diseases, etc. The solution is usually made of 5 or 10 
grains to the ounce of water. Also as a disinfectant. Nos. 2, 26, 185, 
218 270. 



CLASSIFIED LIST OF DRUGS, 

ACCORDING TO THEIR ACTION ON THK SYSTEM, WITH 
EXPLANATIONS AND FORMULAS. 

"When we wish to bring about a particular effect on the 
system we select as medicines those agents which experience 
has shown to produce the desired action ; and with this end 
in view, drugs have been arranged in classes, with reference 
to their specific or peculiar action. The practical utility of 
such an arrangement will be obvious; and for that reason 
Ave give below a scheme of the kind, omitting various minor 
divisions of no great importance. 

ALTERATIVES. 

These are medicines which alter or correct some faulty condition of 
the blood or secretions. They are used when animals are " out of con- 
dition," and in scrofula, rheumatism, distemper, ana?mia. and chronic 
diseases genei-ally. The principal alteratives are : — 

Mercury and its preparations. 

Iodine and its preparations. 

Arsenic. 

Sulphur. 

The Salines (Nitre, Epsom, Glauber and Common Salt). 

Alkalies (Potash, Soda, Lime). 

Vegetable alteratives (Podophyllin, Poke). 

Mercury, in the form of calomel, was formerly much more largely 
employed than it is now. Nevertheless, in the commencement of some 
acute diseases, and also where an active fillip to the liver is required, it 
is a valuable remedy. 

Iodine is used jirincipally in the forni of ihc UKlide of jmtiish. 

(4:.;,) 



454 Classified List of Druffs. 

Arsenic is very highly esteemed. Its most convenient form is Fowler's 
solution of arsenic, one ounce of whicii is the average dose for a horse. 

The Salines and Alkalies increase the discharge from the kidneys, 
bowels and skin. They may often he advantageously combined with 
suli^hur, as — ■ 

No. 491. Nitre, 

Sal ammoniac, of each 1 drachm. 

Sulphur, flowers of 1 oz. 

Mix with gruel, oil, milk, or molasses and watei', for a draught. 
Other alterative receipts are Nos. 181, 182, 183, 461, 462. 

AN.ESTHETICS. 

These are given for the purpose of benumbing the senses and prevent- 
ing pain. The two most important ones are — 

Chloroform, and 

Ether. 
The method of administering them will l)e found on page Gl. 

ASTBIN6ENTS. 

This class of medicines are nsed to check excessive discharges, especially 
from the bowels, and also to stay bleeding. The principal astringents 
are — 

Alum, 

Acetate of lead, 

Tannic and gallic acids and vegetables containing them, 

The mineral acids, 

Ergot. 

They should not be used when there is extensive inflammation and 
high fever ; nor is it well to give them at the outset of many complaints, 
as diarrhea, for instance, as the increased discharge is of^en an effort of 
nature to relieve the system of irritating substances. Formulas for 
astringents will be found on pages 138, 130, 144, 145, 387, 370. 

CAUSTICS. 

These are required to destroy "proud flesh;" to kill the virus in 
poisoned wounds ; to stimulate old ulcers and destroy sloughs ; to excite 
healthy action in fistulas ; to remove warts and tumors : and the like. 
The most important are — 



Classified List of J),;^/.: 455 

Nitrate of silver (lunar caustic), 
Nitrate of mercury, 
Nitric acid, 
Chloride of zinc, 
Butter of antimony, 
The hot iron. 
The nitrate of silver and chloride of zinc can be bought in pencils, 
which can be placed in holders and used very conveniently. The fn-st 
mentioned is the most popular of all the caustics. 

Nitric acid is very valuable for limited but powerful impression. It 
is readily applied bv dipping the end of a match or a larger piece ot 
wood in the fuming acid, and applying it to the part. ll.<' pain is 
intense, but of short duration. 

Batter of anlimony is rejected by some surgeons Imt is very highly 
■esteemed by others (see page 359). 

The hot iron is an efficient and powerful caustic, too little used now- 
adays owing to a weak sentimentality. 

Caustic solutions and formiilas are given, Nos. 215, 21(;, 217, 220, 

221, etc. 

COTJNTER-niEITANTS. 

This class includes rubefacients, which redden the skin ; vesicants, 
which raise blisters; and siqw^^rants, which produce sores on the 
surface. The principal ones are- 
Alcohol, ^ 
T^"-Pentine, [ Rubefacients. 
Ammonia, i 
Mustard, J 

Cantharides, I 

Boiling water, [- Vesicants 

Iron at 212° | 

Croton oil. I g^^^,j,,,,ants. 

Tartar emetic ointment, j 

All these agents, by setting up an inflammation on the surface at no 
great distance from an internal one, withdraw from it some of the blo(Kl 
and serum which surrounds it, and thus diminish its intensity. They are 
<if frequent service in almost all attacks of congestion and inflammation 
of the internal organs, of the bones, joints and deep tissues. Even in 
influenza, fevers, and other general disorders of a depressing character, 
an active rubefacient, such as a mustard paste, well rubbed into the legs 



45(i Classified List of Dniga. 

and washed off in five or ten minutes, is of niueli ln^ndit in nMlucing tlie 
temperatui'e and stimulating tlie jiowers. 

Counter-irritants should not be placed too near the affected parts ; 
nor should vesicants be used when inflammation is high. Supj)urants 
are valuable for old chronic complaints. 

For directions for blistering see page 68; and for various formulas 
for counter-irritants see under Cautharides, ]i. 440. 

DEMULCENTS. 

These are gummy, or glutinous solutions, intended to soothe and coat 
inflamed surfaces. They are of great value in inflammations of the 
membranes of the throat, stomach and bowels, in kidney diseases, and 
other irritable conditions. The principal demulcents are — 

Ijinseed tea. 
Slippery elm bark tea. 
Gum arable water. 
Starch water. 
Sweet oil. 

All of tliese are serviceable, and the two first mentioned are par- 
ticularly so, as they are both excellent and cheap. Examples of tlieir 
use will be found in formulas, Nos. 5, G, lOfl, etc. 

DISINFECTANTS AND DEODORIZERS. 

These have been fully considered on previous pages, 28, 20, 421. 
DIURETICS AND DIAPHORETICS. 

Diuretics increase the action of the kidneys, and consequently the 
amount of urine ; diaphoretics act on the skin, and augment the amount 
of perspiration. They are allied in character and use, being employed 
to relieve the pressure on other organs of secretion, and diminish fever- 
ishness. Horses sweat more readily than cattle, and are more easily 
acted upon by sweating medicines. The i)rineii)al drugs of this class 
are — 

Nitrate of potash (nitre), > 

Bitarti'ate of potash (cream of tai-tai!. | 

Turpentine, I 

Sweet spirits of nitre, Diur.nics. 

Digitalis, 

Cautharides, 



Classified List of Drugs. 457 

Solution of acetate of ammonia ] 

Ipecacuanha ^small dose.}, j j);^^^,,^^,.^.^;^.^, 

Dover's powder, ■ 
Tartar emetic, 



Warm water is an efficient agent for both purposes. 

When any of the above are given, and the animal covered with cloths 
and kept in a temperature of 70°, the action will be mainly on the skin; 
but when uncovered and exposed to a lower temperature, the action 
will be on the kidneys. A cheap and eifectuid diuretic ball for a horse 
is— 

No. 480. Nitre, 
Resin, 
Soft soap, of each I oz. 

Three-fourths of an oxmce of each of these, dissolved in a quart of 
water, is a diuretic drench for a cow. 

For other examples of medicines of this class, see Nos. lOo 164, J6G. 

EMETICS AND EXPECTOKAWTS. 

Emetics are given to produce vomiting ; expedoratils to loosen mucus 
in the breathing tubes, and facilitate its expulsion. The horse, cattle and 
sheep cannot vomit, therefore emetics have no place in their treatment ; 
and expectorants have very li^e effect on them. The best formulas wdl 
be found in Nos. 50, 51, 57, 58, 321. 

NARCOTICS, ANODYNES AND SEDATIVES. 

These are employed to allay pain, soothe irritability, and quiet exces- 
sive nervous action. The most valuable narcotics in veterinary pharmacy 

are — ■ 

Opium (including laudanum and morpiiia). 

Belladonna. 

Each of these has innumerable applications, and they must be regarded 
as about the most valuable drugs to the veterinarians. Their many uses 
will be seen by consulting the formulas referred to i^ the premmm list. 

In the class of sedatives whose action is to lower nervous force, the 
principal arc — 

Aconite, 

Veratrum viride. 
These are very largely used by many practitioners to reduce the pulse 
an<l abate the febrile symptoms, at the outset of acute inflammations. 
Tlu'V have been referred to in formulas given in the foregoing list. 



458 Classified List of Drxirjs. 

PXTRGATIVES OR CATHARTICS. 

These are designed to bring about evacuation of the bowels. They 
are an exceedingly valuable class of remedies. The principal ones are — ■ 
Aloes, 

Salts (Epsom, Glauber and common salt), 
Oils (linseed, castor, Croton). 
Aloes arc especially useful in horses ; the salts and the oils, in cattle 
and sheep. The rules for their administration and formulas An- their 
I)roper combination will be found in the alphabetical list. 

STIMULANTS. 

These are intended to give prompt assistance in an exhausted condi- 
tion. The strength they confer is not lasting, therefore too much re- 
liance should not be placed upon them. But in many emergencies they 
are invaluable, and save life when nothing else will. The main ones 
arc — 

Alcohol. (Whisky, brandy, gin, wine, ale, etc.) 

Ether. 

Carbonate of ammonia. 

Turpentine. 

Ginger. 
Where there is active inflammation or high fever, stimulants should 
be withheld ; l)ut in wearing chronic disease and in crises of profound 
nervous exhaustion, they can be administered with advantage. 

TONICS. 

These ai'c intended to sharpen the appetite, and increase the nervous 
.vigor, and thus impro-ve the health general!}'. They should not be given 
to already healthy animals, as they are not beneficial ; nor should they 
be continued for too long a period, as they lose their effect. Small doses 
should be given at regular intervals, for one or two weeks, and then 
should be suspended for a few days, or another tonic substituted. They 
arc cither of animal, vegetable or mineral origin, as 

Snlptate of iron. (Copperas.) 

Sulphate of copper. (Blue vitriol.) 

Arsenic. 

Vegetable bitters. (Penivian bark, gentian, quassia, etc.) 

Alcohol. 

Cod-liver oil. 
As the mineral tonics are generally more active than those from the 
vegetable conditions, they are generally prescribed for horses and 
cattle ; or tlie two forms are combined. 



INDEX. 



m- Drugs and medicines are not included in this Index, but should be looked 
for in the Alphabetical list on page 436 ; and Poisons in the list on page 428. 



Abortion, in cows, . . • » : 
Absorbent vessels, inflammation of tlie 
Adenitis, specific, of horses. 
Afterbirth, when retained in cows, . 
Ague cake, in cattle, 

in swine. 
Albugo or eye epot, .... 
Ami>utation of the foot, . 
Anaemia of cattle,. 
Anaesthetics, how to administer. 
Anatomy of the horse. 
Aneurism, in horses, 
Anthrax; in cattle, 276 ; in swine, . 

fever, . . . • 
Apoplexy, in horses, 

parturient, in cows, . 

splenic, in sheep, 344 ; in swine, 
Arteries, enlargement of, . 
Ascites, in the hoi-se. 
Asthma, in horses, . 
Azotnria, in horses, . 

B. 

Balling iron, form of, 
Balls, hoAv to give, . 
Barbs and Paps, in horses, 
Barrenness, in cows. 
Bastard strangles, in colts. 
Black leg, or black quarter, in cattle 
tongue, . . • • 
water in horses, 
in cattle. 
Bladder, inflariYcd, in horses, ... 

stone in the, in horses, 161 ; in sheep, 
worm, the, in sheep, . 

459 



PAGE. 
. 315 

. 156 
, 181 
. 323 

. 283 
. 407 
. 251 
. 300 
. 289 
41, 61 
84, 85 
155 
390 
278 
90 
329 
403 
155 
186 
119 
165 



40 
39 
125 
312 
182 
276 
277 
lt)5 
300 
160 
361 
371 



460 



Index. 



Bliiiii, in cattle, . 

Blast, tlic, in .sheep, . 

Bleeding, rules for, . 

Blood spavin, in horses, . 

Bloody Hux, in horses, 143 ; in cattlt 

murrain the, . 

urine, in cattle. 
Blistering, directions for, . 
Blown the, in cattle, 201 : in sheej 
Blue disease the, in swine, 

nose, in swine, . 
Bog spavin, in horses, 
Bone spavin, .... 

rotten,. 
Bones, inHammatiou of, . 
Bots the, in horses, lt)0 ; in shee]), 
Bowels, inflammation of, in horses 

obstruction of, in cattle. 
Brain, inflammation of, in the horse, 

hydatid of the, in sheep, 
Braxy, in sheep. 
Breaking down, in horses, 
Broken knees, in horses, . 

wind, in horses, 
Brushing, in horses, . 
Burns and scalds, 
Burst, or hernia, 
Bustian foul, in cattle, 



TAGK. 

■, 278 
353 

62 
218 
302 
279 
300 

69 
853 
393 
404 
218 
219 
239 
215 
374 
140 
297 

87 
371 
343 
235 
233 
119 
233 
242 
244 
30G 



o. 



Caked bag, in cows, . 








333 


Calking, in horses, . 








233 


Calving, management of, . 






31 


8, 330 


Canker of the feet, in horses, . 








202 


Capillary bronchitis, in cattle, . 








2r)5 


Capped hock, .... 








222 


Caries of bone, .... 








239 


Cataract, how to examine for, . 








250 


Catarrh, in horses, . 






]() 


-', 105 


in cattle. 








285 


in sheej), 








351 


in swine, 








400 


Catarrhal fever, in horses. 








109 


Cattle plague, the, . 








2(38 


powders, ingredients of. . 








424 


Cautery, the, method of using. . 








65 


Cerebro-spinal meningitis, in horses, 








85 


Charbon, in the horse, 








176 


in cattle, 








276 


in sheep, 








343 


in swine, . . . , 








390 



Index. 



461 









PAGE. 


Charges, how prepared, ...... oli 


Choking, how to treat, 






. 24-) 


Cholera, hog, so called, . 






. 389 


Clipping, as conducive to liealth. 






. 32 


Cold in the head, in horses, 






. 102 


in cattle, 






. 285 


chest, in horses, 






. 105 


Colic, in horses, 






l:;i, 134 


in calves, 






. 338 


in sheep, 






. 353 


Colt distemper, 






. 181 


Condimeutal food, . 






. 424 


Condition powders, . 






. 418 


Conjunctivitis, 






. 249 


Constipation, in horses, . 






. 13tj 


Consumption, in cattle, 






. 287 


Convulsive diseases, in horses, 






. 90 


Cords, the, in cattle, 






. 297 


Corns, in horses, 






. 201 


Costiveness, in horses, 






. 13(1 


in lambs. 






. 308 


Cough, chronic, in horses, 






105, 107 


in cows and cattle, 






. 28<i 


Coughs and colds, in swine. 






. 404 


Cow pox, the, 






. 284 


Cracked heel, in horses, . 






211,241 


Cradles, for horses, . 






. 35 


Cribbing, or crib biting, . 






. 130 


Croup, the, in calves. 






. 338 


Cud, loss of, . 






. 77 


Curb, in horses, 






. 230 



x>. 



Diabetes, in horses. 

Diarrhea, in horses and cattle, 

in calves, . 

in lambs, . 

in swine, . 

Diets, for sick animals, 

for fattening stock, . 
Disease, signs of, 
Disinfection, rules and receipts for, 
Distemper, the, in colts, . 

in sheep, 

Drenches, rules for giving to horses, 
to cattle. 
Dropping the calf, , 
Dropsy, in the horse, 

wind, in the sheep, 



164 
137 
336 
368 
406 

36 
425 

77 
421 
181 
351 

47 

49 
315 
1S() 



4G2 



Jndci 



Dysenteiy, In horses, 

in cattle, 
Dyspepsia, in horses, 



E. 



Eczema, of the heels, in horses, 

contagious, in cattle, 
Elbow lameness or elbow sprain, 
Enteric fever, of cattle, . 
Enteritis, in the horse, 
Epilepsy, in horses . 
Epizootic, the, in horses, 
P^jjizootic aphtha?, in cattle. 
Epizootic catarrh, in sheep, 
in swine. 
Erysipelas, in horses, 
Erythema of the heels, in horses. 
Ewes, milk fever in, 3G3 ; garget in, 
Eye spot, . ' . . 

Eyes, inflammation of the, 
how to examine, 

IP. 

Falling sickness, in horses. 

False quarter, in horses, . 

Farcy, in the horse, 

Fardelbound, in cattle, 

Felon, in cattle, 

Filjro-chonditis of the hoof, in horses 

Firing, rules for performing. 

Fistula of the coronet, in horses, 

Fistulous withers, 

Fits, in horses, 

Flatulent colic, in horses. 

Flooding of cows, in labor. 

Fluke, the, in sheep. 

Fomentations, how prepared, . 

Foot, structure of, in the horse, 

foul in the, in cattle, 

sprain of the ligaments of, 

wounds of the, 

and-mouth disease, in cattle, 

rot, in sheep, . 
Foul claw, or foul foot; in cattle, 308 ; 
Founder, in horses, . 
Frog, diseases of the, in horses. 
Frostbite, .... 

Frush, in horses, 



•204, 



sheet 



I'AflE. 

. 143 
, ;'.02 
. 128 



212 
274 
234 
263 
140 

no 

109 
274 
3:5 1 
400 
185 
211 
3G4 
251 
248 
250 



90 
20(3 
174 
293 
306 
207 

64 
207 
238 

90 
134 
322 
479 

55 
189 
308 
236 
232 
274 
355 
360 
198 
200 
241 
201 



C3-. 



Gadfly, attacks of the. 



150, 374 



Index. 



463 



(irarget, in cows, 333 ; in ewes, • 

Gastritis, of ruminants, 

Gathered nails, in horses, 

Gid, the, in sheep, 

Giddiness, in horses, 

Glanders, in the horse. 

Gloss-anthrax, in cattle, . 

Gnaw disease, the, in sheep, 

Grapes, the, in horses. 

Gravel, in horses. 

Grease, the, in horses, 

Gripes, the, in horses, 

Grogginess, in horses. 

Grubs ; on horses, 257 ; in the head, 

Gums, bleeding, in horses, 

Gut tie, the, in cattle, 

EC. 

Hoomaturia ; in horses, 16-3 ; in shee] 

Head maggots, in sheep, 

Heart, enlargement of, in horses, 

fatty degeneration of, . 

beat, violent, in horses, 
Heaves, in horses, . . . . 
Hepatitis, in horses, 
Hernia, in horses, . . . . 

Herpes or ringworm, 
Hide bound, . . , . . 

High blowing, in horses, . 
Hog cholera, so called. 
Hollow horn, in cattle, 
Hoof, diseases of, in the horse, 

rot in sheep, . . . , 
Hoose, the; in calves, 339 ; in lambs 
Horn ail, the, • . . . . 

Hoven, in cattle, . . . , 

Husk, the, in calves, 
Hydatids of the brain, in sheep, 
of the kidney, in hogs, 
Hydrophobia, in animals, 
Hygiene, of the horse, 416; of fattei 
Hypodermic syringe, the. 
Hysteria, of mares, . 



sh 



eep 



20 



PAGE. 
3H4 

203 
204 
371 
91 
170 
278 
349 
213 
161 
212 
131 
I. 190 
374 
125 
297 



354 
374 
153 
154 
152 
118 
146 
244 
252 

75 
120 
389 
289 
)4-220 
355 
375 
289 
291 
339 
371 
410 

98 
423 

44 
166 



Impaction of the rumen, in cattle, . 

Indigestion, in horses, .... 

Inflammation of the brain, in horses, 

of the lungs, in horses, 113 ; in sw 
of the mouth, in horses, 
of the bowels, in the horse, 



291 
128 
87 
404 
124 
140 



464 



Index. 



Inflammation of the liver, in the horse, 
in cattle, . 
of the kidneys, in horses 
of the bladder, in horses, 
of the muscles, in horses, 
of the bones, in horses, 
of the eyes, 
of the womb, in cows, 
of the udder, in cows, 

Inflammatory fever, of cattle, . 

Influenza, the, in horses. 

Injections, rectal, rules for giving, 
into the nose, . 
into the veins. 

Intestinal fever, of swine. 

Interfering, .... 

Issues, how to make. 

Itch, the; in sheep, 383 ; in hogs. 



1'.u;k. 

H<; 

298 

159 

160 

109 

315 

248 

329 

343 

278 

109 

43 

53 

45 

390 

232 

71 

412 



.Jaundice, in the horse, 

in cattle, . 
Jugular vein, inflammation of. 



146 
299 
156 



Kidneys, inflammation of, in horsf 
Kidney worms, in hogs. 
Knees, broken, 



159 
410 
233 



Lakeburu in cattle, . 
Lambing in the ewe. 
Lambs, rheumatism in, 
constipation in, 
diarrhea in, . 
Lameness, signs of, in the horse, 

elbow, 
Laminitis in the horse, 
Lampas in horses, . 
Lard worms in hogs. 
Laryngitis in horses, 
Leprosj', the, of hogs, 
Lice on horses, 
on cattle, 

on hogs, .... 
Liver, congestion and inflammation of, in the horse 

in cattle, 
flukes in the, in sheep, .... 



293 
362 
365 
368 
368 
196 
234 
197 
124 
410 
112 
408 
260 
310 
413 
146 
298 
379 



Index. 



466 



Lockjaw, in horses, . 

Louping ill, in sheeii, 

Lumbago, in cattle, . 

Lung lever, in horses, 
in cattle, 
in swine, 
worms, in lambs. 

Lymphangitis, in horses, 



JVC. 



Malignant pustule, .... 

sore throat, 
Mallenders and sallenders, the, 
Manimitis, in cows, 333. See Garget. 
Mange, the ; on horses, 258 ; in sheej), 

in hogs, 
Mawbound, in cattle, 
Measles, in hogs, . . , 
Megrims, in horses, . 
Metritis, in cows. 
Milk, management of, in cows, 

to bring on or increase, . 

to correct blue and bloody, 

fever, in cows, 329 ; in ewes, 

sickness, in cattle, . 
Milt swelling, in swine, , 
Moon blindness, 
Mud fever, in horses, 
Murrain, in cattle. 
Myositis, symptoms of, in horses, 

IsT. 

Nasal gleet, in horses, 
Navicular disease, in horses, . 
Necrosis and caries of bone, 
Nettle rash, in the horse, . 
Nose, running from, in horses, 
the blue, in swine, 



o. 



ophthalmia, ]ieriodic, 

Ostitis, in horses, 

Overreach, 

Oviuation, how performed, 



PAGE. 
96 

349 
307 
113 
270 
404 
375 
156 



276 
395 
256 

383 
412 
293 
411 
91 
329 
327 
328 
328 
363 
304 
407 
249 
211 
276 
199 



103 
209 
239 
254 
103 
404 



249 
215 
232 
349 



Palo disease, the, in lambs. 
Palpitation, in horses, 
Palsy. See Paralysis. 



375 
152 

30 



466 



Index. 



Paper skin, the, in lambs . . 
Paralysis, in horses, 
Parturient ai^oplexy, 

fever, in cows, 
Parturition, in cows. 
Pelt rot, the, in lambs, 
Periodic ophthalmia, 
Periostitis, in horses, 
Pharyngitis, in horses, 
Plilebitis, in horses, 
Phrenitis, in the horse. 
Phthisis, in cattle, 
Pink eye, in horses. 
Pining, in cattle. 
Plethora, in animals, 
Pleurisy, in horses, . 
Pleuro-pneumonia, the, in cattle. 
Pneumonia; in horses, IVi; in catll 
Pneumo-enteritis, contagious, iu sw 
Poisons and antidotes, 
Poll evil, the, .... 
Positions of the calf. 
Poultices, how made. 
Pregnancy, length of, in animals, 
Probang, directions for using, , 
Puerperal fever, in cows, . 
Pulse, the, in animals. 
Pumiced foot, .... 
Purples, the, in swine, 
Purpura hemorrhagica, in the horse, 



Quarter ill, in cattle, 
Quidding, in horses, 
Quinsy, in swine, 
Quittor, in horses, 



Q.. 



:r. 



Red soldier, the, in swine, 

water ; in cattle, 300 ; in sheep. 
Reproductive acts, the, in animals. 
Retained afterbirth, in cows, . 
Rheumatism, in the horse, 

in cattle, 

in lambs, 
Rinderpest, the, 
Ring bones, in horses, 
worm, in horses. 
Rising of the lights, in swine, . 
Roaring, in horses, . 
Rut, the, in sheep, . 



PAGE. 

375 
95 
329 
329 
318 
375 
249 
215 
112 
156 
87 
287 
109 
287 
419 
116 
270 
265 
393 
427 
237 
320 
46 
26 
246 
329 
72 
198 
393 
175 



276 
126 
404 
208 



393 
354 
26 
323 
178 
306 
365 
268 
217 
252 
405 
120 
379 



Judex. 



4G: 



RoAvels, linw to insert, 
Rupture, iu horses, . 



PACK. 
. 71 

. 244 



s. 



St. Anthony's fire, .... 






. 185 


in sheep, 






. 343 


St. Vitus' dance, .... 






. 90 


Sallenders, the, in horses, 






. 256 


Sandcniek of the lioof. 






. 205 


Scab, the, in sheep, 






. 883 


in hogs, .... 






. 412 


Scouring, in horses. 






. 137 


in calves, .... 






. 330 


in himbs, . 






. 368 


rot, the, in cattle, 






. 302 


Scratches, the, in the horse. 






. 211 


Scrofula, in the lower animals. 






. 265 


Seedy toe, in horses, 






. 199 


Setons, how to insert. 






63 


Sheath, diseases of, in horses, . 






. 167 


Sheep distemper, .... 






. 351 


pox, .... 






. 347 


Shoote, the, in calves. 






. 338 


Shot of grease, in horses, 






. 156 


Shoulder lameness, meaning of. 






. 230 


slip, in the horse, 






. 231 


Sick animals, attention to 






. 31 


Sidebones, in the horse, , 






. 222 


Sitfasts, on horses, . 






. 257 


Sleepy staggers, in horses, 






. 129 


Slings for horses, how made, . 






. 34 


Slinking, in cows, 






. 315 


Smallpox, in cows, . 






. 284 


in sheep, 






. 347 


Snores or snivels, in cattle. 






. 285 


Sore shins, in horses. 






. 215 


throat, in horses. 






. 112 


malignant or putrid, in cattl 


^^ 


. 277 


in swin 


5 


. 395 


Spanish fever, the, .... 




281, 400 


Spavin; bog spavin ; blood spavin, 218; 


I Mine 


spavin, 219 


Special diet preparations, 




36 


Speedy cut, a, ... 






. 233 


Splenic apoplexy, in sheep. 






. 344 


fever, the ; of cattle, 28:1 : r 


f hog 


'^i 


. 390, 407 


Splints, in horses. 






. 216 


Spotteil fever, in the horse. 






. 175 


Sprains or strains. 






. 228 


of the liack sinew. 






. 232 


of the su;;])ensory ligament, 






. 235 


Stabling of sick aninuils, . 






. 27 



468 



Index. 



Staggers, blind or mnd, in horsos, 

sleepy, in horses, 

stomach ; in cattle, 293 ; in swi 
Staleing, painful, in horses, 

profuse, .... 
Siaring coat, ..... 
Stings and bites, .... 
Stomach staggers, .... 
Stone in the bladder, in horses, 

in sheep, 
Stopping, for the feet, 
Strains, of the shoulder and leg of the hoi 
Strangles; in the horse, 181 ; in swine 
Strangury, in horses, 
Striking of the blood, in sheep, 
Stringhalt, in horses. 
Sturdy, the, in sheep, 
Sunstroke, in horses, 
Superpnrgation, treatment of, . 
Suppositories, how made and given, 
Surfeit, in horses, .... 
Surgical instruments, veterinary. 
Suspensory ligament, strain of. 
Sutures, how to insert. 
Sweeny, in the horse, 
Swollen belly, in horses, . 
Syphilis, in horses, .... 



PACK. 

87 
129 
403 
1G2 
1C)4 

75 

248 

129, 293 

101 

361 

32 
230 
405 
1G2 
343 

90 
371 

93 
138 

43 
254 

59 
234 

or, 

]1, 232 
134 
lfi7 



Tapeworm; in sheep and dogs, 371 
Teeth, operations on the, 

decaj'ed, in horses. 
Temperature, the, of animals, . 
Tetanus, in horses. 
Tetter, moist, in horses, . 
Texas cattle disease. 
Thick leg, in horses, 

wind, in horses, 
Thoroughpin, in the horse, 
TJiorter ill, in sheep. 
Thrush of the frog, in horses, . 
Thumps, the, in horses, . 
Ticks, on cattle, . ' . 
Tinea, or ringworm. 
Tooth cough, in horses, 
Tracheotomy, how to perform, . 
Tread, a, in horses. 
Trembles, the, in cattle, . 
Trevis, how to construct, 
Trichina or trichinosis, in swine. 
Trocar described, 
Tuberculous disease, in cattle. 



in hogs. 



2.S1 



412 

07 
120 
75 
90 
254 
400 
158 
120 
221 
349 
202 

310 

, 252 

127 

183 

233 

304 

61 

409 

53 

287 



• Index. 



469 



Tnrnsick, in sheep, ...... 

Tympaii}' or tympanites, in horses, . . . 

TJ. 

Udder, inflatnmation of the ; in cows, 833; in ewe? 
Urine, retention oi' suppression of, in horses, . 
bloody; in cattle, 300; in sheep, . 

"V. 

Vagina, diseases of, in mares, . 
Variola ; of cows, 284 ; of sheep. 
Ventilation, of stables. 
Vertigo, in horses, 
Veterinary pocket case, 
^'Ivcs, in horses, 

Warl)les, iii horses, . 
Weed, the, in horses, 
Weights and measures. 
Whistling, in horses, 
White bristle, in hogs, 
scour, in lambs, 
skin, the, in lambs. 
Wind dropsy, in sheep, 

galls/ .... 
sucking, .... 
Wolf teeth, as a cause of blindness. 
Womb, inversion of, in cows, . 

intlamm,ation of, in cows, 
Worms; intestinal, in horses, 148; 
kidney and lard, in hogs, 
Wouiuls, general treatment of, 
of the feet, 
of the knees, 
Wound fever, .... 



n sheep, 



PACK. 

. 371 
. 134 



384 
ir,2 
354 



170 

247 

28 

91 

59 

125 



257 
15G 
57 
120 
390 
370 
375 
353 
235 
130 
251 
323 
329 
382 
410 
224 
204 
233 
226 



Yard, diseases of the, 
Yellows, the, in hoi-ses, 
in cattle, 



>68 
14t] 
298 



